Mission's famous Border Theater receives financial support – Rio Grande Guardian

MISSION, Texas – The Mission Economic Development Corporation is presenting the historic Border Theatre with a check for $25,000 as part of the EDC’s Downtown Assistance Program.

The goal of the program is to attract visitors to the heart of historic downtown Mission.

The Border Theater, which opened on November 15, 1942, is one of the six beneficiaries of the program.

“The Border Theater symbolizes the resilience of small businesses in Mission. It has been in existence for 81 years and remains a valued landmark despite changes in the business landscape,” said a press release from Mission EDC.

The other five beneficiaries are Ana Liz Taqueria, Drunken Chicken, Little Joe's Barber Shop, The Hook Up Barber University and Baldo's Tires. In total, 27 Mission businesses applied for the grant. Six were successful.

“Through the small business program, Mission EDC is providing $150,000 to revitalize downtown. Businesses along Conway Avenue were invited to apply for grants of $25,000 to fund operations, improvement, facade and revitalization projects,” the press release said.

Mission EDC will celebrate the opening program with an awards ceremony on Friday, September 6th at 10 a.m. at the theater at 905 N. Conway Avenue.

Mission Boys and Girls Club

In other economic development news, Mission EDC partnered with two local businesses to donate $11,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Mission.

The aim is to prepare the next generation of local innovators and entrepreneurs.

The two local businesses supporting the Boys & Girls Club are Dip It by Pilar and Scooter's Coffee. Their contributions were made possible through performance agreements the companies entered into with Mission EDC.

Rick Venecia, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission, said the funds raised will be used to fund scholarships for the club's members. He said the funds would also support the organization's FutureReady initiative, which aims to give young people the skills they need to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Venecia said partnerships play a critical role in improving the Boys & Girls Club's services.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Mission is extremely grateful to MEDC and its partners for giving us the opportunity to continue to provide quality programs to our children,” said Venecia. “This donation is just another example of how our community partners are contributing to a better future.”

Teclo J. Garcia, CEO of Mission EDC, said, “We are deeply grateful for the investment these companies have made in Mission and their tireless commitment to our community. The Boys & Girls Club of Mission is instrumental in empowering our youth and equipping them with the tools they need for future success.”

Dip It by Pilar, a local manufacturer specializing in plant-based dips, donated $5,000 to the organization. That amount was matched by a $5,000 donation from Mission EDC, culminating in a $10,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Mission. Scooter's Coffee, which opened its first location in Mission in October 2023, donated another $1,000 to the cause.

For Pilar Gonzalez, owner of Dip It by Pilar, the donation had a personal meaning.

“It’s a safe place for kids to develop their talents and a place where my kids went when they were little,” Gonzalez said of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission.

Michael Espinoza, operations manager of Scooter's Coffee in Mission, said the Boys & Girls Club's support is good for the community.

“We chose to donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Mission because these programs offer today’s children great opportunities and opportunities to discover their talents while providing a safe and fun environment,” said Espinoza.