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About Us
Our Beginnings
Between 1857 and 1859, Blasius Keiffer founded the first brewery in Castroville in a one-story limestone structure with cooling cellar at the location of 1201 Fiorella. It was expanded by Pilip L. Wernette, who purchased the property on February 11, 1905. He enlarged the structure with a second story in 1907. The second-floor ballroom became a popular venue for dances. Mr. Wernette's unexpected death at 45 in 1911 and the ratification of Prohibition in 1918 led to a sale of the property by his wife Mary and son to the Louis Martin Tondre family in 1919.
The Tondre Family Business
The Tondre family established a store selling general merchandise including hardware, furniture, lumber, shingles and other roofing, apparel, dress goods, boots, shoes and groceries, along with banking functions for the community. As part of its furniture business, L.M. Tondre & Sons carried an inventory of caskets, not an uncommon arrangement in 19th century Texas.
In the Funeral Business
Two of Louis's sons, Julius and Herbert, were interested in the funeral business. When a death occurred in Castroville, the only licensed embalmer in Medina County would be summoned to travel over to Castroville and provide services. Later Herbert became a licensed funeral director, this part of the business eventually becoming Castroville's funeral home. The mercantile side of the business continued in the same location, selling to Victor L. Tondre in August 1949. Victor operated the store until his death in 1974. Subsequent owners continued to operate the store through the 1970s and 1980s.
Ever Since...
In 1989, the store was conveyed through a trustee's sale to Producers Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc. In 1992, Producers Cooperative sold the property to shoe manufacturer and retailer, San Antonio Shoe, Inc. In 2007, the property was sold to a limited partnership that renovated the building to become a retail and event space. This renovation included the addition on the northwest side of the main building of a second story. The building became known as Elsass Hall beginning in 2022 and has served as a one-of-a-kind event venue ever since.
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We got a variety of Amenities to help you make your event a reality!