Toni’s Food Store named Main Street Business of the Month

Gonzales Main Street is pleased to announce Toni’s Food Store as the Main Street Business of the Month for September. Located at 209 Saint Lawrence Street, Antonio “Toni” Espinoza opened Toni’s Food Store on Sept. 10, 1959 — 64 years ago this month.

Built from the ground up, the grand opening celebration was the biggest party around. There were pony rides and characters in bunny costumes as it was the newest of Gonzales’ grocery stores at that time. Patrons remember Coke bottle recycling and a fresh-cut meat counter. They even had two tables to enjoy your barbecue at the grocery store.

Unfortunately, patriarch “Toni” passed away just three years later in 1961. At the age of 22, Toni’s son David took over the family business. In addition to Toni’s Food Store, the Espinoza family managed 20-plus rent houses, ranches, and cattle.

Read the full article here.