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H onky-tonk queen Abbey Road wasn't looking for another project when she stumbled onto the historic Welcome Texas General Store during a move back to her hometown of Fayetteville in 2022. Road has spent the last decade or so booking musical talent in Luckenbach and managing and restoring Texas roadhouses. Her career has taken her from the legendary dive bar in Luckenbach to a shiny city gig at Threadgill's in Austin, with a handful of small-town honky-tonks in between. It's hard to say whether these roadhouses are drawn to her, or she's drawn to them. Whatever the case, the allure of the circa-1890 building known as the Welcome Store in the tiny municipality of Industry proved irresistible. Road purchased the structure and embarked on a mindful renovation. Preservation and enhancement of the building's character were top of mind. The charmingly unremarkable exterior was left untouched, as was a 1960s-era shuffleboard deck. Updates such as new wiring, plumbing, and upgraded bathrooms aren't much to crow about, but the newly installed kitchen with its British wood stove is a source of pride. "It's an Esse 990 Wood-Fired Cooker. It was a treat to myself, and it's been so much fun," Road says. The kitchen may have British roots, but it cranks out barbeque plates and Tex-Mex favorites such as nachos and street tacos, plus banana pudding served in a mason jar. Her brisket chili and pork green chili enchiladas made with Louie Mueller barbeque are a big draw, with folks bellying to the bar for a plate of one or the other and a cold beer for $10 every weekend. The kitchen was additionally outfitted with pieces from The 303 and Round Top Ranch Antiques in Round Top, while the bar came from Warrenton. "McCall Style in Carmine was the source for quite a few shelves, boards, and whatnots," she says. "All the tables came from a vendor in ExCess II, and there are some garnishes from Old World Antieks." Another find from the fields in Warrenton — a set of vintage bingo cards — inspired a weekly tradition. The Welcome Texas General Store's nonprofit, Local 1890, holds Thursday bingo nights with whatever cast of characters happens to be on hand. From bikers and farmers to cowgirls and kids, all are welcome to play. A portion of the proceeds go to local community volunteer fire departments, the Industry Library, and other worthy causes. Local 1890 has raised about $15,000 since the first game in November 2022. There are also shuffleboard matches with Road's golden retriever pup Sancho and karaoke, plus live music on Saturday nights from local acts and bigger names such as Deryl Dodd, Kelly Willis, and Jamie Richards. Otherwise, the Welcome Texas General store is a lot about "nothin' doin',"Roads says. "We eat, drink, and hang out with the chickens. Just being people, connecting, and making friends." Make friends at the Welcome Texas General Store 11 am – 10 pm (kitchen open until 8 pm) Thursday through Saturday. Rent out the store for events by emailing hello@ welcomegeneralstore.com. Welcome Texas General Store, 12528 FM 109, Industry, welcometexasgeneralstore.com. at the WELCOME TEXAS GENERAL STORE DOIN' NOTHIN' ROUND ABOUT ROUND TOP By Candice Cowin. Photography Jordan Geibel. Welcome Texas General Store 100