Business

Biz Briefs

Mexico in McAllen

Virginia Topete has moved “her Mexico.”

Mexico Mio‚ or My Mexico‚ is Topete’s home décor and gift store devoted exclusively to pieces crafted south of the border. She recently relocated her store to 1111 N. 10th St.‚ Suite I‚ to take part in the community’s monthly ArtWalk events.

Topete’s colorful store highlights the variety and talents of Mexico’s artists and artisans.

“I have a little bit from all the different states‚” Topete says.

Her inventory consists of fine furniture‚ crafts‚ cookware and religious images‚ among other items. Topete personally selects each of the pieces during her regular visits to San Miguel‚ which she describes as “a little town filled with art.”

Mexico Mio’s customers range from Anglos interested in experiencing Mexican culture‚ Valley Hispanics and even Mexican nationals visiting McAllen on shopping trips.

Mexico Mio is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Horsepower Grew This Grove

A county institution was born for want of a horse.

When Will and Julie Klement moved to their rural residence 35 years ago‚ the family’s four sons collectively begged their parents for a horse. The couple agreed on the condition that the boys paid for the equine investment by picking and selling the fruit from the 3-acre citrus grove that came with the property.

From those humble origins – which included a cash box and honor system for sales‚ the boys got their horse; and Klement’s Citrus Grove and Country Store developed into a citrus empire‚ with the family now maintaining 55 acres of groves in the area.

As business grew‚ the Klements constructed a retail store‚ where sales of oranges‚ grapefruits and juices are supplemented with fudge‚ nuts and gift items. The store‚ located at the corner of Buddy Owens and Taylor roads‚ is open from the first of November through the end of April but is closed Sundays.

Julie Klement attributes the store’s growth to quality fruit and quality service.

“We always treated people like we would want to be treated‚” she says.

Stationery but not Stationary

Quips ‘n’ Quotes began its existence as a seller of greeting card and paper items. Its history‚ however‚ has been anything but stationary.

The store‚ founded by Bruce and Susan Leahy‚ was once found in Texas malls‚ but is now restricted to standalone facilities in McAllen and Harlingen. And what was once primarily a stationery store has evolved many times over in its 30-plus year history.

Today‚ Quips ‘n’ Quotes is a one-stop shop for gifts‚ coffee and postal services. Each store has a coffee bar‚ which also offers lunch. And its gift menu includes baby and wedding gifts‚ fashion‚ religious items‚ candy‚ fragrances and other products.

The 16‚000-square-foot store on 10th Street now is in the hands of David Leahy‚ who recognizes the need to evolve in order to stay relevant. The shop’s latest products include the popular footwear Crocs and Webkinz‚ an interactive plush toy.

The McAllen store is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

One-of-a-Kind Builder

Averill Builders doesn’t engage in the speculation game.

The McAllen construction company handles only custom work‚ in both the commercial and residential markets.

“We don’t build something and try to sell it‚” says Joe Averill Jr. of the company founded by his father in 1976. “We made a decision that there was a market for people who wanted projects done at a quality level‚ rather than who could do it the cheapest.”

Each Averill Builders job is a one-of-a-kind project that involves working with individuals‚ tradespeople and architects to deliver the desired home or business to the company’s clients.

In addition to new construction‚ Averill Builders Inc.‚ which also includes wife Nancy‚ stepson Allen Gray and four other employees‚ handles a lot of remodeling work.

“If you build homes for 30 years‚ you end up in the remodeling business. You’ll do add-ons or remodels‚” Averill says. “Sometimes‚ you end up building the client another home.”

A Spotless Image

Appearance really is everything at Carwash Carwash.

Customers at the company’s five locations notice immediately that the company puts a premium on looking good. The business’s manicured grounds‚ impeccably dressed employees and even art-adorned walls all work together to send the proper message.

“The car wash market in this area is fairly saturated‚” says Scott Crane‚ owner of the company’s three locations in McAllen‚ one in Harlingen and one in Weslaco. “By keeping the premises clean and well-landscaped‚ we try to make it upscale‚ professional and pleasant.”

The company’s efforts are most evident at its 10th Street location‚ which features a local art gallery on the premises. Local and national artists display their artwork in the waiting area while the company’s team of employees performs the vacuuming‚ washing‚ towel drying‚ spray waxing and its complete line of services.

“We try to give the customers something nice to look at to make the wait a little more bearable‚” Crane says.

Story by Dan Markham
Photo by Wes Aldridge

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