East Austin’s Green & White Grocery is an official historic landmark now. City Council unanimously approved historic zoning for the shop on Thursday. The store, which was founded in the 1930s, was known for its tamales in the 1960s and transformed into a botanica in 1993. “Shockingly few Mexican American landmarks are protected by historic zoning in Austin, and we’re committed to working with community partners to shift that status quo,” Preservation Austin Executive Director Lindsey Derrington said in a statement to the press. “(Owner John) Cazares has generously shared his family’s legacy as part of our East Austin Barrio Landmarks project, and during our inaugural Legacy Business Month last year. His stewardship sets a really powerful example for others to follow.”
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor. More by Elizabeth Pagano