After 125 years in business, Cele Store is filled with stories—the evidence of which lines the walls with black-and-white photographs, paintings of horses and buggies, and the signatures of famous actors.
The last remaining part of what was once the small community of Cele—pronounced “seal”—the store is located in Pflugerville’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, 3 miles east of Lake Pflugerville on Cameron Road.
Marvin and Marilyn Weiss bought the store in 1951. Their daughter, Janice Fuchs, was born four years later and has grown up with the store, watching the community around it change.
“Back [in the 1950s] we had just a couple of neighbors within 5 miles,” Fuchs said. “Now there are people all along [Cameron Road].”
During that time, Cele Store was mainly a general store with deli items and a bar. They started selling barbecue then in 1964 they built a brick barbecue pit was built that is currently in use.
“I remember riding the bus home from school,” Fuchs said. “The bus driver would make a weekly stop at the store and let all the kids run in to buy ice cream and sodas.”
Gradually the store focused more on serving food and less on offering grocery items.
The store briefly closed at the end of 2007 after Marilyn retired. Fuchs’ son, Brandon, reopened it in September 2008 and ran the store until December 2011. After another brief closure, employees Don Carroll and Mike Randig leased the restaurant in January 2012 from Marilyn Weiss.
The vintage charm has not changed, though, and it has made the store a sought-after location for major films and photo shoots, Fuchs said. Movies including “Secondhand Lions,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Transformers 4” and “A Perfect World” have all shot scenes at Cele Store.
“It was really fun,” Fuchs said of the films. “Daddy was an extra in ‘Secondhand Lions.’ And Clint Eastwood once landed in a helicopter in the field right next to us [during the shooting of ‘A Perfect World’].”
Cele Store has served as a general store, deli and a bar during its 125-year history.[/caption]Movie props and signed photos are featured alongside various relics on the walls of Cele Store. Originally opened in 1891 as Richland Saloon, the store has had plenty of years to gather history.
Fuchs, who still works as a waitress at the store, said she remembers playing in the store while her parents worked and men played dominoes at the bar. She eventually brought her son to the store with her while she worked. She said she stills sees people come into Cele Store who have been visiting for decades.
“It’s gone through generations,” she said. “We want to see it keep going."
Cele Store serves sausage and ribs on Thursday and adds brisket to the menu for Fridays and Saturdays. The meats are served with pickles, onions, cheese, bread and housemade barbecue sauce. Fuchs said guests may bring their own side dishes. Beer, wine and sodas are available, and guests who prefer liquor can bring their own as well.
A cash- or check-only establishment, Fuchs said the leasors prefer to keep things simple at Cele Store. During the twice-monthly band nights on Fridays, the store does not charge customers admission but passes around a tip jar for the bands.
“It’s family-run, family-oriented and a family atmosphere,” she said. “Everyone’s welcome.”
Cele Store
18726 Cameron Road, Manor
512-869-9340
www.celestore.com
Hours for dining: Thu. 6-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-9 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. evening available for parties.
