Tag Archives: Weslaco

Reyna’s Bar-B-Q Forges Path of Service & Soulful Food

Anything you can ask for from a barbecue restaurant is available at Reyna's.

Growing up in Weslaco, Zeke Reyna had big dreams growing up during the glory years when Tiger Woods dominated the golf world. “I always thought I’d win the Masters,” Reyna said. He didn’t quite get there although he was an outstanding high school golfer. Reyna was good enough to compete collegiality at SMU in Dallas and then the University of Oregon. He went on to spend some time on the…

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Produce Company Opens Major Facility

Pineapples are among the products coming from Latin America to the Robinson Fresh facility. (VBR)

Weslaco often touts itself as a strategic mid-point in the Rio Grande Valley. Here, goods and services can move quickly and efficiently to all points in the region. The marketing pitch rang true to Robinson Fresh, one of the largest produce companies nationally. It is making a move to utilize a 46,000-square-foot facility at the Mid-Valley Industrial Park which will serve as a storage and distribution point for fresh produce…

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One Door Closes, Another VIDA Opens

Etta King has a better life for her and her children thanks in part to VIDA.

Life was good for Etta King when she moved to Weslaco in 2011 from Lake Tahoe, Cali. Five years later, her world turned upside down. Her husband left, creditors repossessed her car and eviction forced her to move from their home to a small apartment. With no money, she had to attend divorce court without legal representation. Her only family in the Valley consisted of her two sons and daughter.…

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The Eatery Gives A Cool Vibe

Weslaco entrepreneur Mario Mendiola says The Eatery is giving the Mid-Valley a new attraction.

Mario Mendiola is an energetic, man-on-the-go entrepreneur and realtor who has a passion for both his hometown and its downtown.  In early 2020, he saw through a lengthy restoration of a historic two-story building on the corner of Texas Avenue and Sixth Street in downtown Weslaco. A formerly abandoned building is now a stylishly restored building for offices and upstairs apartments.  Mendiola had another downtown project brewing. He wanted to…

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Weslaco Bakery Whips Up Happiness 

Tasty offerings are on display at Happiness Cupcakes.

Weslaco had one sweet spot going for it during the slowdown and shutdown months in the spring and summer of 2020. Happiness Cupcakes never closed. The city deemed it an essential business and the cupcake shop with an outdoor patio on Texas Boulevard stayed open. The close-to-the-nest residents of Weslaco and adjacent communities found solace in the array of cupcakes, pies, cakes and breads at the shop on Texas. “It was…

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Physician Residents Taking On Challenge

Resident physician Dr. Jorge Duarte Solis speaks to a patient at the Internal Medicine Clinic at Knapp Medical Center. (Courtesy)

Medical residency programs always bring and require what Dr. Timothy Heath calls an “intensity of experience” as young physicians make their way through real-life training. Add the rigors and challenges of dealing with the recent pandemic and coping with situations not seen in a century. The reality of it all is testing 14 physician residents under Heath’s supervision in ways no one imagined. “I’ve spoken to colleagues and I can…

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2020 Brings Changes To Business Recruiting

EDC officials are hoping to utilize the USMCA to spur new growth in border trade such as operations at the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone. (Courtesy)

The handshake, lunch meetings and traveling where necessary to meet promising prospects are all part of what makes economic development successful. In 2020, some of those elements have been put to the side. It has been a challenge to deal with for economic development professionals. The same is so for the business world they connect with daily. The trips to a company’s headquarters have been replaced with Zoom calls. Longer…

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Weslaco Chamber Announces Leadership Initiative

online training

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting participants for the Weslaco Chamber Leadership Initiative. The program partners with Franklin Covey Leadership Training Solutions for sessions on various topics. This includes managing teams, project management, vision and strategy, and productivity. This is the first year the chamber will offer the program. The independent learning platform allows participants to take courses at their own pace, and meet with like-minded individuals…

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‘Local Treasures’ Keep Community Connections

An arrangement of flowers at Southern Roots Flower Market, which has strong ties to McAllen.

A customer called Cissy Infante Guerrero to let her know they wouldn’t be coming by that week – but no worries – a return to Tucker’s Barbecue was guaranteed. “It was so sweet of her to call,” Infante Guerrero said of the customer. “She was worried about us and wanted to assure they would be back to see us.” The months of COVID-19 have consequently tested local businesses. They’ve adjusted…

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