Greetings! I’m Rhonda Valis, The Wallis Development Corporations Public Relations board member. I was voted on the WDC in July of 2024 by the Wallis City Council. I wanted to be on the WDC board because I have deep Wallis roots and I am very interested in what is happening in Wallis, especially the
economic growth that is coming our way.
My paternal grandparents, Vinc Sr. and Mary (Uhyrek)Gallia come to Wallis in the early 1900’s and settled in the Krasna area, about 2 miles South on FM 1952 and farmed. My dad, Jerry, and his siblings were born and raised in the Krasna area, as well as myself and my three sisters.
My maternal grandparents, Henry and Mary (Gregurek) Kucera, lived in Sealy, but they ran “The Hilltop” which was just past FM 1952 on Highway 36. This was in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a little too early for me to have any memories of it, but I’ve enjoyed hearing many stories through the years, especially about how good Grandma’s hamburgers were. This I can attest to! My parents, Jerry and Margie (Kucera) purchased a business around 1975 on Commerce Street, and it was on this block of town that I grew up. I walked the sidewalk from the corner of “Gallia’s Place” on down to Ms. Rosettia Brandt’s store a countless number of times. Ms. Brandt, as I called her, was the sweetest lady ever. I truly enjoyed having conversations with her. A lot of my time was spent visiting Mrs. Lorene Kreitz next door to us at “Sealy Butane” where she spent her idle time as a seamstress in the back. She took me home many times to have lunch with her. I also spent many hours down the block at “Holub’s 5 & 10” visiting with Mr. Dan and Mrs. Viola Holub. I loved going in that store browsing the toys, fabric, and especially the greeting cards case. My first school satchel was purchased there amongst other school supplies such as the Big Chief writing tablet.
Irene Petter’s café was next to “Holub’s 5 & 10”. We frequently ate there and visited with Ms. Irene and other ladies from town. On the corner of the block at Hwy 36 and South 2nd Street was “The Copper Penny” restaurant owned by Mrs. Cynthia (Toellner) and her husband Ray Scolton. I have some great memories with them and their children. After some time the “Penny” closed and Willie Joe Novak opened a fried chicken place, one of the best fried chicken places in my memory! Willie Joe eventually closed and when I was in Jr. High School, Danny’s Pizza opened. What a fun place and time and some good pizza too!
When I was in elementary school, Mr. and Mrs. Vigil and Wila Tanner purchased the City Meat Market. This is when I met two of their children, Becket and Gretchen. Their new friendship brought along many adventures, one that includes us skating on the sidewalk and me going through one of Holub’s windows!
When I was in my early teens, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Margaret Janicek opened the “Brazos Inn Restaurant” next to their plumbing business. A few years after they opened, they sold to Mr. and Mrs. Don and Carolyn Easton, and thus became my first job. When I was 15, my parents bought the restaurant and ran it for a couple of years, and believe it or not, at times I was the waitress, cook, and cashier!
So many memories! As I think about growing up on Commerce Street, and the EDC replacing the sidewalks, there were some bittersweet feelings. I could practically tell you where every crack on that sidewalk was….and how it needed to be replaced over 40 years ago! I am a nostalgic person when it comes to Wallis because I have a long and rich family history here. But sometimes change needs to happen. I know not everyone always agrees on change, or doesn’t want change, but sometimes it’s inevitable.
I joined the WDC to help make decision that can help our community’s businesses and the growth of our town. I have seen the impact the WDC has had recently with the opening of “Marini’s Empanada’s” and “Brandt 1910”. I am eagerly waiting on another business coming soon. It saddens me to drive through town and see the other empty building that have potential to be open businesses. I want to be a part of helping our community’s economic well-being. Wallis has been at a standstill for way too long. I am eager to work with the EDC to make decision that will get us on our way to a thriving town. I’m all for growing Wallis and making it an even better place to live. I am looking forward to writing articles for the Wallis EDC, look for them in the Sealy News.
