TITLE: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Martin's Place in Bryan.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Martin's Place in Bryan.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Locally owned businesses play an important role in the economy and culture of Texas communities, and in 2025, the Kapchinskie family is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Martin's Place in Bryan; and WHEREAS, One of the oldest family-run barbecue establishments in the State of Texas, Martin's Place traces its origins to 1925, when Martin Kapchinskie opened it as a travel stop on a one-lane country road that connected the city of Bryan to Texas A&M University; the store sold barbecue alongside groceries and gas, and it operated out of a simple wooden structure throughout the Great Depression; in 1939, its present-day building was constructed out of red brick, and it includes an indoor kitchen, a dining space with a tall bar, and a barbecue pit attached at the back; and WHEREAS, Following the conclusion of World War II, Mr. Kapchinskie was joined by his son, Albin, who had served as a butcher in the U.S. Navy; Martin's Place subsequently added a meat market in 1951, and Albin Kapchinskie went on to purchase the business from his father four years later; and WHEREAS, As Bryan and College Station grew, Martin's Place attracted a devoted clientele from the surrounding community; many of its longtime patrons frequented the establishment for daily pool and domino games, and it also came to be a source of fond memories for generations of Texas A&M students; its ownership was later passed down to Albin Kapchinskie's son, Steve, who had cooked barbecue alongside his father in his youth; and WHEREAS, Martin's Place was recognized by the Texas Historical Commission as an Official Texas Historical Landmark in 2005; today, its building, heirloom family recipes and techniques, and circa-1939 barbecue pit continue to be preserved by Steve Kapchinskie, who has operated the restaurant for five decades; and WHEREAS, Over the past century, Martin's Place has won the loyalty of countless area residents while contributing to the prosperity of the local economy, attaining the status of a treasured community institution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Martin's Place and extend to all those associated with the business sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Kapchinskie family as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dyson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1518 was adopted by the House on June 2, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House