Willis Facade Program Revitalizes City Landmark

From Willis EDC

WILLIS, TX — After decades of history in the Willis community, Willis Supermarket, formerly known as Blair's Supermarket, has undergone over a million dollars in renovations.

The most recent work took place outside, as the asphalt parking lot was replaced with new foundation and asphalt, creating a safer, more aesthetically pleasing exterior for the landmark Willis business.

The project was completed thanks in part to a facade grant from the The City of Willis Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

“We're anticipating the growth of the city with new developments in the area. With this growth, the exterior improvement will definitely help with bringing in new customers and old,” said Sam Prasla, owner of Willis Supermarket.

According to Prasla, he and his partners bought the store in October 2009, just as the national recession was coming to an end.

“Since day one we saw the potential of the store. We started to upgrade the store as fast as we could,” he said

So far, they've spent $1.5 million renovating the interior of the 22,000 square foot building, installed new refrigeration, a new HVAC system, plumbing and restrooms.

At the end of 2015, they modernized the store's décor.

Prasla views Willis Supermarket as a staple in the community and wants to provide the best service and products possible.

They often support community activities, sports teams and schools.

“Our budget almost always exceeds what we allot for community support, but we're glad to do that for the community,” he said.

Prasla received a letter from the City of Willis EDC in April 2017, informing the business of the EDC Facade Grant Program.

At that time budgets were accounted for, so he tucked the letter away for future reference.

When he began considering the parking lot upgrades that needed to take place this spring, he was reminded about the program by the project's contractor.

Prasla applied for the grant and it was approved at the March 2018 EDC meeting.

“We're definitely grateful for the EDC program to help small businesses. Since we've worked so hard on the inside, it's a huge thing to make the outside look the part,” said Prasla

Work crews brought in 60 tons of base to level the parking lot and repaved the asphalt slab.

In addition, concrete curbs, directional lines and speed bumps were replaced.

The improvements will not only better the look of the store but create a safer parking area for customers of the supermarket and Xpress Washateria next door.

Willis businesses may be eligible for a match reimbursement totaling up to 50 percent of the cost of their exterior improvement projects if the side being improved is visible from the following areas: State Highway 75 from Calhoun Street to the southernmost city limits, and FM 1097 from Highway 75 to Interstate 45.

All other businesses within the city limits are eligible for a 25 percent match reimbursement.

Interested businesses must meet specific requirements and complete an application for consideration by the Facade Grant Committee.

A project must exceed $2,000 and reimbursement funds will not exceed $5,000.

Routine maintenance such as painting, masonry work, fencing and lighting, must be part of a larger project to be considered.

New construction projects are eligible to apply for the following items:

• fencing
• signage
• awnings
• landscaping.

“Applying for the grant was one of the easiest processes I've dealt with. I'd highly encourage businesses that fall in the qualifying areas to take advantage of this. It's a boost for their business and for the community. Being a single operation, family-owned business we're more than grateful for the community's support, under the Blair's banner for so long and for the last nine years as Willis Supermarket. We're blessed that the community is behind us. We're grateful to the City of Willis and the EDC for all that they've done for us.

About the City of Willis EDC The mission of the Willis Economic Development Corporation is to empower the local Willis economy through the expansion and retention of the business community, with infrastructure assistance, and to promote business opportunities in the market area and enhance the quality of life. T

he board meets every other month, on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Their next meeting will be held May 22, 2018. For more information, contact Ray Laughter at 936-856-4611.

Image: Shutterstock