BGC Helps Reclaim Fire-damaged Hometown Site
Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has donated $300,000 to Smith County for the reclamation of five fire-damaged properties in the center of downtown Tyler, Texas.
The area is of historical significance to Tyler-based BGC: its founder, Wood T. Brookshire, opened his first store in 1928 at the site, which is on the east side of the town square.
BGC’s donation, which this week was presented in check form by chairman Brad Brookshire and CEO Rick Rayford to county officials in front of the site, will help to convert the space into a public-use courtyard, while the building facades will be stabilized and preserved.
“We will salvage every historical component possible from the buildings and find a way to incorporate them into future plans for the site,” said Smith County Judge Joel Baker. According to Baker and other county officials, the courtyard will be an inviting addition to downtown Tyler while long-term plans for the area are worked up.
The area is of historical significance to Tyler-based BGC: its founder, Wood T. Brookshire, opened his first store in 1928 at the site, which is on the east side of the town square.
BGC’s donation, which this week was presented in check form by chairman Brad Brookshire and CEO Rick Rayford to county officials in front of the site, will help to convert the space into a public-use courtyard, while the building facades will be stabilized and preserved.
“We will salvage every historical component possible from the buildings and find a way to incorporate them into future plans for the site,” said Smith County Judge Joel Baker. According to Baker and other county officials, the courtyard will be an inviting addition to downtown Tyler while long-term plans for the area are worked up.