For the past 39 years, the historic H.D. Gruene Mercantile Building has been home to Gruene Antique Company, a local favorite for vintage shopping. On July 20 of this year, Gruene Antique Company will close its doors for good, and the building will return to its roots as a mercantile store.

The building went up in 1904 in Austin's neighboring city of New Braunfels, where Gruene is a historic district. For decades, this beautiful two-story brick building acted as the "community's business and social center," and carried "everything from cheese to farm implements to buggies and ready wear," according to a recent press release.

Ownership of the space will not change hands, as the Molak Corporation has owned Gruene Hall for decades. In fact, the new mercantile store is set to open later in 2025, just in time for the Molak Corporation's 50th anniversary of owning Gruene Hall.

“After prolonged consideration, we are excited to return the building to its former glory as a mercantile store," says Susie Molak, wife of the late founder Pat Molak in the press release. "We aim to preserve the legacy of Gruene while looking intentionally to the future, and we believe this shift will highlight the history of this iconic location."

Aside from Gruene Hall, the family-operated Molak Corporation owns several restaurants, stores, venues, and other real estate in New Braunfels, including Gristmill River Restaurant, Cantina del Rio, Mozie's, and more. The company also owns Down on Grayson and Josephine Street in San Antonio.

This isn't the first time the building has changed businesses. After Gruene Mercantile (known for a time as Gruene Brothers Store) closed its doors in 1938 during an economic slump, it became Hadlock & Fox, a western saddle tree manufacturer. It then transitioned to Gruene Antique Company in 1986.

In the press release, Molak says "While change is never easy, we hope to bring fresh experiences to Gruene while maintaining the rich history and vibrant character that Texans have come to love."