TYLER, Texas — An East Texas staple grocery store between Tyler and Kilgore has gone through some big changes, but one thing that has stayed the same is the value of family.
From the name to its workers, family is an important part of this store's next chapter. Tulita's Grocery is not just a family-owned business but also a family run.
Jose Argote and his wife, Elvira Argote purchased the original Johnson's Grocery Store and transformed it to Tulita's Grocery, located at 15864 State Highway 31 East in Tyler.
"Our store's name, Tulita Grocery, is significant because we have a beautiful memory attached to it," Jose Argote said. "My mother-in-law's name was Juana Aventura but everyone called her Tulita. She passed away almost two years ago and in her memory we named our store after her."
Since moving to East Texas in 1998, Jose and Elvira have witness how the Hispanic community has grown in the area.
"We decided to open this store because we considered it a necessity to have a store that can cater to the Hispanic community by providing products they need," Jose Argote said.
Tulita's Grocery sells a mixture of products, special Hispanic products not typically found at the local chain store.
"We sell many things such as candy, chips, food, soap from Mexico and also American products," Elvira Argote said.
In a time where prices are rising and products are low in stock, the Argotes receive their products from a variety of businesses.
"At the moment, it is taking us a while to receive our products but we have brought our products from San Antonio, Dallas, Tyler and Mexico," Jose Argote said.
Tulita's Grocery will soon offer more products in need, especially diesel for vehicles passing on the busy route between Tyler and Kilgore where there isn't a nearby gas station in the area.
Mayce Marek was driving and realized she was almost out of gas when she stopped at the gas station and store.
"This nice man walked out and offered to go get diesel for me. And I just really appreciate the hospitality of him offering to help," Marek said. "It's a great pit stop in between and would help people going from town to town."
The Argotes understand their store's location is a prime area for good business but that doesn't stop them from striving to offer the best service to the community.
"We would like to make a good and big impact in our community," Jose Argote said. "We hope with good service, kindness, and having products customers need, we will be able to make an impact."
The Argotes hope to not only make an impact in the community with their store but also with their children.
"One of the things we try to teach our kids is how to work. We want them to be able to work on their own terms," Jose Argote said. "This is a job for them while they're studying in the university. If they want to finish their career and later return to the store that will be great, if they don't want to return, that is OK too. We hope that if they do want the store in the future, they maintain, work and continue to grow it."
The Argote family continues to learn from the previous family who set a foundation of a successful business for 57 years.
"The Johnson's Grocery Store closed a beautiful chapter and now a new chapter begins. We want to also create a beautiful history just like the Johnsons did," Jose Argote said. "We want to make this next chapter better because that is what we strive for each day. We are learning from the Johnsons because they started this and they trusted us with this store because they knew we could make it better."
The Johnson family has known the Argote family for years. They are happy to see the Argotes continuing the business as a family creating their own legacy in the community, former owner and Johnson's granddaughter, Palanda Gordon said.
"Their family were customers every since they have been in the community. Our families get along great and since the store is in front of our property, it was a perfect fit," Gordon said. "I would say to the community to welcome them and most importantly support them. They are a beautiful family and they want to serve just as we did for the past 57 years so we wish them all the success in the world."
