Redbud Cafe & Brieger Pottery
Trail
Type
Date
Address
Names
Crist Building
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About 1881 Charles P. Boon is thought to have built a frame structure to house his new grocery business on this spot on the north side of the square. After his 1886 partnership with Robert Crist, the business grew to include tinware, hardware, watches, and jewelry. By 1930 Crist, who now had full control of the business, offered dry goods, farm equipment, and leather goods, including saddles and harnesses, in two adjacent buildings. At about this time (ca. 1930) Blanco Lumber & Hardware Warehouse #1 was built behind the Crist buildings. Originally built on U. S. Highway 281, it was moved to the present location on the southwest corner of 5th and Pecan Streets. (A second warehouse, still standing, was built parallel to it about 1960.)
Later, Crist’s son Charles took over the operation and added hardware, lumber, grain, wool, and mohair businesses. Part of the eastern end of the complex was leased to J. E. Stubbs for a sidewalk filling station and car dealership.
When both Crist buildings burned in 1937, the current building was constructed to consolidate the various enterprises. The business was subsequently owned by John Mazurek, Kenny Moore, and Chip Sweeney, among many others. Charles and Ralph Dellano became the owners of the building in 1990 until David and Douglas Bamberger purchased it in 1995. The current owners are Jon and Jan Brieger, who also own and operate Redbud Cafe and Brieger Pottery.
The 1937 Crist building, a one-story commercial structure, represents a shift in architectural style on the square to a more “modern” look.
The rainfall record, which has monthly rain totals dating back to 1900, is on the display inside Redbud Cafe on the west wall.