On a day like Labor Day, one wouldn’t typically hear the clang of hammers striking nails. However, a few individuals were working in the intersection of Monroe and Stampler near a store in Bee County, all to preserve a beloved community landmark. El Obrero, with its proprietor Maria Ochoa Garza, has been an integral part of Beeville’s West Side for years, assisting struggling migrant farm workers in providing for their families during tough times.
“The store would often offer them a line of credit for food, allowing them to return and pay once they received their wages,” shared volunteer Mike Rodriguez. This gesture is something Garza still upholds. “In small towns, it’s not about politics,” stated Rodriguez. “It’s about supporting each other and enhancing the community. That’s our group’s mission.” However, Garza’s century-old establishment is starting to wear, and with a recent warning from the city about the store’s condition, she faces the risk of losing her family business. “She doesn’t have the money required for the necessary repairs,” Bee County Commissioner Kristofer Linney remarked. “Have you seen the store’s interior? She’s just getting by.”
Upon learning of Garza’s predicament, Linney felt compelled to intervene, so he reached out to those he believed would be eager to assist. “I contacted a few dependable volunteers,” he remarked. “We needed to assess the scale of the task at hand.” Many generously contributed their expertise and time, and Alamo Hardware provided the majority of the essential materials for the restoration. Additionally, a fellow community member replaced her rudimentary cooling system, which was just a single box fan, with a new air conditioning unit.
The cherished 86-year-old shopkeeper has spent most of her life managing her family’s store. So, when the city mandated an inspection, she felt at a loss. “The walls are deteriorating, and they need repairs. I don’t have insurance, so it’s really challenging,” she said. To make matters worse, Garza’s store had also been a recent target of theft. “They forced their way in through the back door,” she recalled. “They didn’t even leave a single loaf of bread behind.”