A historic corner store in Austin's East Cesar Chavez neighborhood is on its way to becoming an official city landmark. The city Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously at its Wednesday meeting to recommend historic zoning for Green and White Grocery, which has operated at the corner of Waller and East Seventh streets since 1938.
The one-story building at 1207 East Seventh Street has been an important fixture of the historically Mexican American neighborhood. Under the management of founder Noverto Lopez and his son-in-law, John Cazares Sr., the thriving store sold produce, Mexican imports, and tamales that drew crowds during holidays. thrived through the middle of the 20th century, becoming a locus of Chicano organizing in the 1970s and a then botanica run by John Cazares Jr., whose family has owned and operated the store for 86 years, in the late 1990s.
Green and White's historic zoning case will now move to the city’s Planning Commission and, if approved, to the City Council for same. City landmarks benefit somewhat from protections against redevelopment and receive property tax abatements.
