Ending of an Era: After 44 years of service, Capitol City Oliver Co. is closing

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

A long-time fixture at Capitol City Oliver is the Coca-Cola box. It is rustic, but the cold drinks it holds are still offered to customers for only a dime. Even when costs increased, business owner Ray Burklund continued to offer the customers the traditional price. The 10-cent sodas continued, as well, following Burklund's death. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Dec. 30, 2004 - When the doors are closed and locked at Capitol City Oliver Co., Inc. on Dec. 30, it will close the doors on over 44 years of service to the ranchers and farmers in the area. Starting out on Highway 183 toward Lockhart, the business relocated to its present location in Austin in 1964, with additions in 1984.

The company, which has offered farm equipment sales, parts and service since 1960, was the brainchild of Ray and Barbara Burklund, and since the death of Ray in 1999, has been operated by son, Bobby (who's been there full-time for 25 years), and daughter, Glenda Bearden (who has been employed for the past 20 years), along with Barbara.

Throughout the years, with the store always open to the public, someone had to be there to take care of business.

This year, the family made the decision that it was time for a change. Things haven't been the same without Ray, and after five years, the rest of the family is ready to "pursue other interests," said Bobby. Along with ending one chapter and starting another in the family, Barbara is looking forward to traveling a bit, while she is able to enjoy it, and they are planning a "family vacation" for the first time in many years, said Glenda.

Glenda is married and has two children who are of the ages to really enjoy and remember a "family trip," and she is looking forward to offering the journey to them.

While some families might find it difficult to work together, day after day, both Bobby and Glenda noted that the best part of the years at Capitol City Oliver Co., Inc. has been working with their family members.

"Not many children, as adults, get to know their parents," said Glenda.

Obviously, family was very important to Ray and Barbara, too. There has always been a "family first" attitude which rolled over to the customers. The coffee pot was always on with fresh coffee, and Ray insisted on continuing to offer 10-cent soft drinks in his old Coke machine, all these years ... even when he lost money doing so!

Glenda said their "newest" worker has been employed for 10 years, with the others claiming even longer longevity. Apparently, employees Glenn Willard, Thomas Kloesel, Jose Flores Jr., Ken Johle, and Johnnie Stox have enjoyed their employment, too. Each of them has offered to stay on to help clean up the building and tie up loose ends, after the Dec. 30 closing.

Changes in the agricultural industry and the rapid growth of Austin in recent years assisted Barbara, Glenda and Bobby in their decision to close the doors of the family business. The drive from their homes has doubled in the time it takes, too, they added.

One of the major things the family will miss is the relationships they have developed over the years with the "old-time farmers," and noted that they never had a bad customer that they could remember. Much of their advertising was by "word-of-mouth," and area producers knew they would be taken care of at Capitol City Oliver Co., Inc.

On Dec. 30, when the doors are locked the final time, it will be bittersweet for Barbara, Glenda and Bobby, but you can bet that they won't be forgotten any time soon. Not many businesses offer personal service, and 10-cent Cokes, anymore!