H.R. No. 848
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Locally owned restaurants add to the diversity and
character of Texas towns and cities, and Quality Seafood Market is
celebrating 75 years of serving the Austin community; and
WHEREAS, Quality Seafood Market's origin dates back to 1938,
when Garnett Lenz first rented a stall at Starr's Fruit and
Vegetable Market on Congress Avenue to sell fresh seafood from the
Texas coast; he eventually moved his business to Brazos and Third
Streets and expanded his offerings to include specialty items such
as quail eggs and rattlesnake meat; in 1958, Chester Husted, a
frozen foods entrepreneur from Burnet, purchased Mr. Lenz's
business and merged it with his trucking company, Austin Frozen
Foods; Mr. Husted's first kitchen, Quality Seafood, served up to-go
orders on East Avenue, known today as Interstate 35; in 1970, he
moved the business to its current location on Airport Boulevard;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Husted's children took over operations when
their father died in 1982 and turned the kitchen into a sit-down
restaurant; when they sold the business in 1990, the new owner, Sam
Eaves, took advantage of the increasing popularity of fresh seafood
among chefs and diners and offered local seasonal favorites like
Texas drum, shrimp, and oysters alongside salmon, halibut, and sea
bass; in 2003, Mr. Eaves sold the restaurant to Paul and Carol
Huntsberger, who changed its name to Quality Seafood Market,
continued to expand the menu, and added a catering business; today,
Ms. Huntsberger is the sole owner of the restaurant, and it remains
a favorite community institution; and
WHEREAS, The restaurant's 43 dedicated employees include Tom
Cantu, who began as a delivery driver in 1960; though he officially
retired in 1997, Mr. Cantu continues to come in several times a week
to take orders, help with paperwork, and even make deliveries; and
WHEREAS, The well-being of the people of Texas depends on a
vibrant economy, and independent businesses like Quality Seafood
Market that are rooted in their communities and employ area
residents are important components of a prosperous future; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of Quality
Seafood Market in Austin and extend to all those associated with the
restaurant sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Quality Seafood Market as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.
Workman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 848 was adopted by the House on March
27, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House