Return to Roots

Gruene Antique Company ending its 39-year run to become new store

In July Gruene Antique Company in New Braunfels will close, returning to its roots as a mercantile store. Photo courtesy of Alan Michnoff, Molak Corporation

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, 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 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."

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ON THE MOVE

San Antonio slips to No. 3 among top moving destinations in the nation

Father and son lifting moving boxes at new home

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Drawn by its vibrant culture and growing job market, nationwide movers have increasingly chosen San Antonio as their new home. Based on national relocation trends, a new s tudy by leasing company Penske Truck Rental ranks San Antonio No. 3 among the top 10 moving destinations in the United States for 2024.

Three Texas cities ranked among the top five moving destinations, with Houston taking the No. 1 spot, followed by San Antonio at No. 3 and Dallas at No. 4. Austin also made the list, landing at No. 9. San Antonio has been in the top five for two straight years, slipping slightly from its No. 2 position last year.

According to the study, the primary reasons for relocation in 2024 include better job opportunities and a lower cost of living. Movers were also driven by more personal reasons for relocation, such as enjoying a closer proximity to loved ones and more space.

With thriving job opportunities, no state income tax, and a lower cost of living, San Antonio offers appealing advantages for relocation, giving residents plenty of reason to take pride in calling the city home. Unsurprisingly, two Florida cities also made the top 10, as the state shares the same tax benefit.

Recently, San Antonio was left off British gambling platform Betway.com's list of the 15 coolest cities in America — a ranking based on the number of tattoo shops, record stores, and vegan restaurants. While those factors may contribute to the quality of living, Penske's data suggests economic considerations hold far more sway than kale smoothies.

Penske compiled the data by analyzing one-way truck rental reservations made through the company website, following up with a customer survey. The report said 69 percent of its customers preferred renting and driving their own vehicle, but didn't state whether that decision was motivated by cost.

Houston has remained at the top of the list for four consecutive years. The rest of the top destination places were spread throughout the country. This is the complete list: