Town and Country Convenience Store in Austin
Traces of Texas reader Amy Cornelius graciously submitted this ASTOUNDING photo, taken Austin. Says Mary: “My grandfather was a partner in the first convenience store chain in Austin in the 1940s and 1950s, named Town and Country … back then they were called Ice Houses because they first started out selling ice for homes, before air conditioners became commonplace. In the late 1960s he bought several of the stores for himself and renamed them Texas Markets.
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My family still runs the chain today, and has several stores in and around Austin. I have a collection of pictures of my grandfather’s first stores that I’ve always thought were pretty cool. I’ve attached a couple here that I thought your followers might enjoy. Some of my favorite little things in these pictures ….In those days the markets were all open air in the front, one store has a sign that says “Instant Shopping”… must have been before “convenience store” as a term took off… at that same store the one car in front has a LBJ sticker on the bumper and a woman shopping in curlers!”
Amy, this photo is perfect in every way. Amazing clarity and you’re right about the woman in curlers and the LBJ bumper sticker. It’s just a period piece. What an image!
