DICKINSON, Texas (KTRK) — It was one of thousands of structures that flooded during Hurricane Harvey, and now, after nearly a decade, a community staple in Dickinson is back open.<\/p>\n
On Friday, a line of people stretched around a store off Highway 517 in Dickinson. It’s a place that hadn’t seen customers since 2017.<\/p>\n
Macronetta Isaac couldn’t wait to step inside.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been shopping here since my kids were very, very small,” Isaac explained. “I just really enjoy coming this way.”<\/p>\n
In August 2017, city officials said Hurricane Harvey flooded 80% of Dickinson, impacting 7,000 structures, including Ziegler’s Foods. Since then, it sat vacant.<\/p>\n
“I used to pass by and say, and remember the times I used to come,” Isaac recalled. “I said, ‘One of these days they might open it back.”<\/p>\n
A reality Isaac finally witnessed. On Friday, the ribbon was cut, and the store reopened.<\/p>\n
A new beginning dozens of customers waited for, including Mayor Travis Magliolo.<\/p>\n
“When I walked in, I haven’t seen it since it’s been fully built out, my jaw dropped,” Magliolo said. Emotions not just because of how the rebuilt store looked, but the memories that came with it.<\/p>\n
“When I look at this, it brings back the memories of myself with my grandmother,” Magliolo recalled. ” It brings it back with my dad, and my mom grabbing a few things for dinner.”<\/p>\n
City leaders say Ziegler’s has been in the community for 70 years. A store they feared would never reopen.<\/p>\n
That changed nearly two years ago when someone Rahimali Vakaliay took over.<\/p>\n
“I bought this store in 2024, and since then I’ve been working so hard to make this day possible,” Vakaliay said.<\/p>\n
Vakaliay said he did more than restock the shelves. The new owner constructed a gas station, installed a generator, and worked with FEMA to improve the building to help with future storms.<\/p>\n
“I try to protect the building,” Vakaliay explained. “See if the water not get in, but a hurricane, nobody can stop it.”<\/p>\n
City leaders said they like seeing the shelves restored with food, but they’d like to see even more. That’s because nearly a year ago, the city’s only large grocery store closed.<\/p>\n
On Friday, ABC13 asked the mayor if another large grocery store could be returning.<\/p>\n
“We have talked to multiple grocery store chains,” Magliolo explained. “A lot of them are looking at other options. We’re going to continue to try and attract a large grocery store because I want options.”<\/p>\n
Choices Isaac has once again. “It’s very exciting,” Isaac said. “I’m so happy. I will be coming back.”<\/p>\n
It is a store that does more than give fresh food options, it also brings back memories in between the search for the perfect produce.<\/p>\n
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