La Fiesta and Handy Andy? (San Antonio, Center: houses, purchases, YMCA)

[Chaka]

We used to have a Handy Andy in our neighborhood. It was ok for simple things: basics like flour, butter, milk, etc. But their meat market was not the best and they never had fish. Still, I was bummed when they closed.

Both La Fiesta and Handy Andy tend to be smaller and less, um, 'upscale' than HEB....to try to put it politely.

[mrstxcop]

my mother shops at handy andy for all her produce --- i have gone a few times with her and have found the prices okay, but the quality of the produce was great --- this was at the once on commerce --- mom has a soft place in her heart for handy andy, she worked there for years and years ---

[gy2020]

Check out Business Ads thread for photos of Piggly Wiggly, Handy Andy. Taken from 1960 annual.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by traveler guy

There is a Handy Andy on old Hwy 9o

I once checked out that Handy Andy store a few years ago, just to see what it was like. By far the most dominant memory I have of the experience is how the store and its parking lot smelled like a diaper pail.

[thebigmammoo]

Originally Posted by imaterry78259

I wish San Antonio would get a Fiesta market like they have on IH35 in Austin and on S Main in Houston. they would give HEB a run for its money

Oh God no!!! The Fiesta in Austin is not very nice-looking AND they have the wanna-be flea market vendors in the front. It was a good place to buy Boone's and a Brian McKnight CD when I was first drinking in my UT dorm room, but that's about it.

[carlitasway]

Originally Posted by thebigmammoo

Oh God no!!! The Fiesta in Austin is not very nice-looking AND they have the wanna-be flea market vendors in the front. It was a good place to buy Boone's and a Brian McKnight CD when I was first drinking in my UT dorm room, but that's about it.

LMAO! That's so true.

[rsasse]

I worked on and off for Handy Andy #1, #12, and #22 from 1956 till 1962. I was a package boy, stock clerk, and checker. The hourly rate was from $.40 to $1.00 per hour.

When a customer bought beer, you had to call for a manager (over 21) to ring it up. We hollered out a number or code to call for this help.

Can anyone refresh my memory?

[outafocus]

Handy Andy was owned by former San Antonio mayor Charles Becker in it's heyday. It was the best store in town, and gave Top Value trading stamps.

I remember when HEB didn't open Sundays, and didn't sell beer or wine. I had respect for that grocery chain then.

[tony78201]

Originally Posted by carlitasway

I didn't want to thread jack the Walmart and HEB thread. I have driven past the La Fiesta on Bandera but have never stopped and looked. Is the store pretty good? How are the prices? Where is the Handy Andy located? I didn't even realize we had one. Are these places about the same as Walmart in price?

thats the fiesta my dad goes to, and he finds many more items there than at our nearest HEB. I am a yogurt junkie, and fiesta has every flavor yoplait makes, HEB, hardly anything. and Fiesta always has nice specials on soda cases.

[Herbrocks]

I grew up with HANDY ANDY, used to be the biggest chain years ago. The ones that remain are just a shadow of the former store, but I'm sure they have their strong points too.

I never liked FEISTA, even when we had some close to home.

Also remember PIGGLY WIGGLY, DELUXE, WAITES, ZAMZOW, FOOD CITY...