Residents from Zavalla and throughout Angelina County packed the new Brookshire Brothers Express at Wednesday’s Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Celebration. It’s the Lufkin-based company’s 149th retail location. The store, located at 198 East Main Street is a blend of grocery and convenience. Company spokesperson Sally Alvis says, “Our new store is tai-lored to meet the needs of the people of Southern Angelina County and the hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who visit the area. Shoppers were thrilled today with the selection. From the drive-thru window where they can get grab and go meals and our famous fried chicken, to a pallet of deer corn out front, to fresh fruit and veggies, baked goods, fishing tackle and ammo inside, customers say the company ‘got it right’ when merchan-dising the store for their town.

Chief Operations Officer John Alston welcomed the crowd of 250 and introduced Store Director Josh Higgins. Higgins’ team includes Sam Dillon of Colmesneil as Assistant Store Director and Jacob Casey of Huntington as Market Manager. Higgins says by carrying such a wide array of merchandise inside the 13,222 square foot store, he hopes to keep folks from having to travel far for what they need. As part of the Grand Opening, Higgins pre-sented the Volunteer Fire Department with a $500 donation from Brook-shire Brothers for the squad’s dedicated service to the community.
Veterans Barry Burch and Lynn Bryan presented the colors and did the Pledge of Allegiance and James King led the crowd in singing the Nation-al Anthem. Dignitaries included State Representative Trent Ashby, Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter, Mayor Jimmy Davis of Zavalla and a host of busi-nessmen and women representing the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce. Alvis adds, “It truly was a celebration of family and community.”

Founded in 1921, Brookshire Brothers is 100% employee-owned. Its assets include 149 retail outlets incorporating grocery stores, convenience stores, as well as free standing pharmacy, tobacco and petro locations with another location opening in Apple Springs in early fall. Its market stretches east to Lake Charles, Louisiana, west to Canyon Lake, Texas, north to Whitesboro, Texas, and south to Ganado, Texas. For more information about Brookshire Brothers and its family of brands go to www.brookshirebrothers.com.