Brookshire Grocery Co. Founder Honored

Wood T. Brookshire, the late founder of Brookshire Grocery Co., was honored for his role in the history of the city of Tyler, Texas by its city council on Wednesday. The council voted to erect a monument to Brookshire on the city's "Half-Mile of History" heritage trail that surrounds the downtown square.

Brookshire moved to Tyler in 1928 and opened his first grocery store on the east side of the downtown square. The small store was the beginning of Brookshire Grocery Co., now more than 150 stores strong in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The company has two distribution centers in Tyler, with another in Monroe, La. Its internal manufacturing facilities for bakery, dairy, ice cream, yogurt, fresh-cut plants, ice, water, and drinks, are all located in the Tyler area. Brookshire’s currently employs about 12,000 people.

The company's founder also built Brookshire's World of Wildlife Museum and Country Store in Tyler, which hosts more than 40,000 visitors each year. His commitment to the Tyler community is said to have led to the Brookshire Grocery Co.'s involvement in local charities and schools.

"…Mr. Brookshire has made important contributions to Tyler's history," said Mayor Barbara Bass. "I am pleased that we have the Half-Mile of History program to highlight his place in our past and his ongoing contributions to our future."
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