Ziegler's Foods reopens in Dickinson after fearing it wouldn't return following Hurricane Harvey

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.

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.

Macronetta Isaac couldn't wait to step inside.

"I've been shopping here since my kids were very, very small," Isaac explained. "I just really enjoy coming this way."

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.

"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."

A reality Isaac finally witnessed. On Friday, the ribbon was cut, and the store reopened.

A new beginning dozens of customers waited for, including Mayor Travis Magliolo.

"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.

"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."

City leaders say Ziegler's has been in the community for 70 years. A store they feared would never reopen.

That changed nearly two years ago when someone Rahimali Vakaliay took over.

"I bought this store in 2024, and since then I've been working so hard to make this day possible," Vakaliay said.

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.

"I try to protect the building," Vakaliay explained. "See if the water not get in, but a hurricane, nobody can stop it."

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.

On Friday, ABC13 asked the mayor if another large grocery store could be returning.

"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."

Choices Isaac has once again. "It's very exciting," Isaac said. "I'm so happy. I will be coming back."

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.