The Murphy Street Raspa Company is located in one of the oldest buildings in Alpine, Texas. Located on 100 West Murphy at the corner of 5th and Murphy, the historic building was a very important part of Murphyville, Alpine's name in the 1800's. Originally the building housed the Alpine Furniture Company, which is reported to have been operated as early as 1904. Roughly thirty years later, it was transformed into Valadez Grocery, which was to become the heart of Alpine's Latino southside community.
 

Tomas Valadez was born March 7, 1886, in Ojinaga, Mexico, and came to Brewster County in 1903. He married Juanita Gallego in 1916, and together they had 12 children. Ophelia Valadez still lives in Alpine, in a home on the corner of 6th and Gallego which is a recorded Historical Landmark of Texas.

 

In the 1930's, he opened Valadez Grocery, which was the heart of the
southside of Alpine. It remained in business until Mr. Valadez's death in the late 1970's. For over thirty years the building remained closed, until
Ophelia Valadez sold it to Betty Gaddis Yndo in 2007, along with the
neighboring two buildings (Talgar's and Alpine Studio).

In early 2008, San Antonio natives Victor and Cristina Noriega
purchased the building from Mrs. Yndo. They were delighted to discover that Valadez market was largely untouched, housing many of the original treasures including the butcher block, meat case, scale, and other items. So well-preserved was the building's content that vintage products still sat on the dusty shelves! Victor and Cristina eagerly set to work restoring the building downstairs, and adding a bathroom and kitchen upstairs so they could live there. Six months later Victor waved goodbye to his career in advertising, and he and Cristina moved out to 100 West Murphy Street. 

 

The Murphy Street Raspa Company opened on September 20, 2008, with an official ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration. Specializing in raspas, or shaved ice, the company also serves premium ice cream, baked goods, gourmet coffee, and a huge assortment of Mexican candies. Additionally, they carry Mexican art, gifts and pottery, clothing and rent cruiser-style bicycles. For more information please visit www.raspaland.com