Hide Article Text (OCR)
By Nicolas Irene Wilson County News It’s the oldest, friendliest, and luckiest store in town. That’s been the slogan for one of Floresville’s most beloved and reliable mom-and-pop stops. Traniece and Glen Merecka have owned and operated the Squeak’s Convenience Store on F Street since 2005, af ter buying the store from then-owners and friends David and Rhonda Where is Squeak’s? Squeak’s is located at 1109 F St. in Floresville and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. For more informa tion or to order online, visit squeakstore.com Trevino. As a former cer tified public accountant and a 10-year employee of Sisters Gifts Boutique, Traniece had enough busi ness knowledge to give store ownership a shot. “When David Trevino called me and asked if I wanted to buy [Squeak’s], we took it and haven’t looked back,’ Traniece said. She currently handles the majority of the book keeping and day-to-day operations. Since taking over, she has experienced the ups and downs of run ning the neighborhood store. “We had to deal with a lot of competition from the big stores on prices,” Traniece said. “That’s why I bring in all Texas and local stuff that can’t be found in the big stores.” Since 1954, Squeak’s originally known as Al’s — served as one of Floresville’s only stops for last-minute groceries. Before H-E-B and Wal- Mart came to town, when local grocer Baumann’s was closed, Squeak’s was the shop for everyday needs. Before the Mereckas took ownership, the store was known as the one stop shop for bread, milk, and quick-stop grocer ies. Many residents, like Camille Ingram, still have vivid memories of walk ing to the store for every day goods. “I remember my mom sending me to Squeak’s for milk and bread,’ Camille said. “It was the go-to store in the neigh borhood.” Floresville resident and president of the Wilson County Historical Society LaJuana Newnam-Lens also reminisces about buying baking soda every year at Squeak’s for her Christmas desserts, due to it being the only place in town open on holidays. Squeak’s “was an as set to the community,” recalled LaJuana. “They Who is ‘Squeak’? Although Squeak’s Convenience Store has been in business since 1954, the origins of the Squeak’s name came from a story in the 1960s and ’70s. According to stories current owner Traniece Merecka has heard, then-owner Kenneth Latta was at the dentist for an appoint ment. Latta sat down for his exam and the chair squeaked uncontrollably, earning him a new nick name. Squeak played a major role in the economy and _ for Floresvillians.” To many, Squeak’s Convenience Store isn’t only a place to buy snacks and beer for the weekend. The store actually used to serve as a Greyhound bus stop, as well. Trannece discontinued the service a few years ago for various reasons, however. Generations of families have contributed to the store’s success. Traniece said that people have even mentioned Squeak’s in their loved ones’ obituar ies. She is elated, knowing the little store is a part of some legacies. “It makes me happy knowing that,” Traniece said. “My husband rode over here on his bike when he was young, and now our kids are doing it.” Kids still to this day will visit Squeak’s on summer days to enjoy Icees. “People always come in and say they used to ride their bikes to Squeak’s for an Icee when they were kids,” Traniece said. She says Squeak’s still sells a lot of Icees, even with other stores offering the frozen treats for less. Feeling lucky? Squeak’s wants you to be a winner. The store sells a high volume of Texas Lottery and __ scratch off tickets. Squeak’s has ranked in the Texas Lottery Top 100 and San Antonio’s Top 10 for win ning tickets. Whether it’s tens or millions of dollars, Traniece is always proud to see another life poten tially change. “We’ve been known as ‘the lucky store’ for so many years,” she said. Even with big business sprouting in Floresville, Traniece believes that the intimate environment of Squeak’s is unlike any thing else around. “We have had people come just for scratch-offs and [to see] our friendly staff’? the proud owner said. “It is that one-on one interaction you don’t get in the big chains.” Traniece’s new goal is to grow Squeak’s into a general store and to stand out among the competi tion. “We have recently added an online store and want to offer local and other Texas products you can’t find anywhere else,” Trannece said. As one decade comes to an end, 2020 looks to be the start of a new era for Floresville’s oldest, friendliest, and luckiest store. reader@now-online.com Sight COURTESY Squeak’s Convenience Store has served Floresville residents and customers from across the country since 1954. The store, located at 1109 F St. in Floresville, origi nally was known as Al’s. NICOLAS IRENE/Wilson County News Longtime employee Melissa Paredes (left) and Squeak’s store owner Traniece Merecka provide friendly service from behind the counter of Squeak’s Convenience Store, one of Floresville’s most re nowned shops.
Newspaper Details
Wilson County News
Floresville, Texas, US
Wed, Dec 25, 2019
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 21 Jan 2026
Other Publications Near Floresville, Texas
Floresville Chronicle Journal
Wilson County News
