A. F. Giese Grocery is one of the lesser known historic family run groceries stores of the 20th century. This news article will explain A. F. Giese Grocery was. 
The store building which once served as A. F. Giese Grocery at the corner of East 13th Street and San Bernard Street was built in 1902 by Thomas Buttery, a contractor who lived and worked out of the property. Thomas Buttery also installed repairs and did routine maintenance. The A. F. Giese Grocery is a turn of the century neighborhood store which reflects the development of Central East Austin neighborhoods. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=76588)
A. F. Giese Grocery had first opened in 1902 by Mrs. A. F. Giese and Mr. A. F. Giese (Adolph Giese). Adolph Giese began operating his neighborhood family grocery store from the property. Mrs. A. F. Giese and Mr. A. F. Giese operated the A. F. Giese Grocery for many years until 1926.
His wife, Mrs. A. F. Giese, purchased the store and real estate property from Mr. A. F. Giese in 1926. The store would be renamed to Mrs. A. F. Giese Grocery. She was the owner and operations manager.
A. F. Giese Grocery shut down around 1946. Another grocer named Frank Stark began operating a store called Stark’s aka Stark Grocery Store/Stark Store/Giese-Stark Store in 1947. Fellow grocer Frank Stark purchased the store from Adolph Giese in 1950. Frank Stark also purchased purchased the real estate property from Adolph Giese and Mrs. A. F. Giese the same year.
Stark’s aka Stark Grocery Store/Stark Store opened up shop in the same location A. F. Giese Grocery had once operated out of/at in 1952. Stark Grocery Store operated from 1952 until 1977. The building served as a neighborhood grocery store for 65 years.(Ref: https://www.groceteria.com/place/texas/austin/)
Frank Stark sold the store and property to a woman named Irene Ford in 1977. The store was converted into an antique store overnight. Ms. Irene Ford operated an antique store on the premises which also sold clothing. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=76588)
In 2004, the A. F. Giese Grocery had been operating as a used clothing stores which sold and received used clothes from neighbors in the Central East Austin neighborhood. The business was operating as Giese-Stark Store at the time. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=82749)
Back in April 2004, the Swede Hill Neighborhood Association and Central East Austin Neighborhood Association expressed concern that the historic designation of 1211 San Bernard would lead to zoning changes. (Ref: https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2004/04/arguments-continue-over-grass-carp-in-lake-austin/)
David Cox and Amy Maner wanted to purchase and renovate the Giese Stark Store at the corner of 13th and San Bernard Street. David Cox and Amy Maner were proposing a 2-story addition on the back end of the property.
The Cultural Resources Survey of East Austin listed the Giese Stark Store as a “high priority” for preservation, individually eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and as a contributing property to the proposed 13th Street Historic District. Neighbors were “paranoid” about possible future plans for the property. The neighborhood plan specifically limited the area to residential development. (Ref: https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2004/06/panel-recommends-historic-status-despite-neighbors-opposition/)
By the summer of 2004, both parties agreed that the property at 1211 San Bernard Street merited the historic designation. But representatives of the Swede Hill neighborhood argued that granting the historic status would facilitate a future zoning change and bring commercial uses to the site, which is currently zoned SF-3-NP. (Ref: https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2004/06/panel-recommends-historic-status-despite-neighbors-opposition/)
However the directly adjacent neighbors have expressed appreciation and support of David and Amy when it came to restoring the store. They were in opposition to any type of zoning, including historic, which would facilitate the change to non-residential use. The ARA (Austin Revitalization Authority) process identifies 12th Street as a commercial corridor for that area. They went to great lengths and many meetings to focus commercial on 12th Street and not bring additional business into the neighborhood.
Commissioner John-Michael Cortez pointed out that any mixed-use designation for the property would have to come back before the Planning Commission. The Commission voted 5-0 to endorse the change from SF-3-NP to SF-3-H-NP. City staff and the Historic Landmark Commission are also supporting the request, which will go on to the City Council for final approval.
ORDINANCE NO. 040624-Z-14 AN ORDINANCE REZONING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE GIESE-STARK STORE LOCATED AT 1211 SAN BERNARD STREET IN THE CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN NEIGHBOR HOOD PLAN AREA FROM FAMILY RESIDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN (SF-3-NP) COMBINING DISTRICT TO FAMILY RESIDENCE HISTORIC-NEIGHRORHOOD PLAN (SF-3-H-NP) COMBINING DISTRICT. MAYOR, WILL WYNN CITY OF AUSTIN
(Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357383944/)
A distribution business called Archstone Distribution, LLC is currently operating out to the former A. F. Giese Grocery. Yet current zoning prohibits commercial usage. Joy Poth-Aleman currently owns the building and property. (Ref: https://clustrmaps.com/a/1hihp3/)
A. F. Giese Grocery was located at 1211 San Bernard Street, Austin, Texas, US 78702. The A. F. Giese Grocery was located in the Central East Austin neighborhood.
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