06/25/2026
Hello Hondo,
We are Jesse and Letty Bustamante, owners of Lett’s Jess Thrift in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Four years ago, our journey with Hondo began when my sister and brother-in-law moved here and opened Chateau Claire Bed & Breakfast.
What started as family visits quickly became something much more. With every trip, we fell a little more in love with this community, its people, its history, and the slower pace of small-town life.
Over time, we began dreaming about retiring in Hondo and finding a way to become part of the community we had grown to love. We watched our family invest in Hondo and create places for people to gather, celebrate, and enjoy. Their passion inspired us to ask ourselves a simple question:
“What could we bring to Hondo?”
When the opportunity came to purchase the historic firehouse at 1905 Avenue K, we knew we had found our answer.
The Hondo Volunteer Fire Company was organized on July 2, 1909, and generations of volunteers served this community for more than 115 years. The firehouse has been a place of service, dedication, and community throughout its history. We are honored to become caretakers of this special building and are working hard to preserve its character while giving it new life.
Our vision for Firehouse Vintage is simple: we want it to be more than a store. We want it to be a place where people feel welcome, where neighbors gather, where visitors stop and stay awhile, and where old stories are preserved while new memories are made.
INSIDE FIREHOUSE VINTAGE, YOU’LL FIND:
antiques, vintage treasures, nostalgic items, collectibles, home décor, Y2K clothing, band and graphic tees, new and vintage toys, plants, and unique finds from a variety of vendors and collectors.
One of our favorite parts of Lett’s Jess Thrift in Corpus Christi is the community we have built with our vendors. Today, our Corpus Christi location is home to 35 indoor vendors, and we hope to create similar opportunities in Hondo. We would love to invite local antique dealers, collectors, makers, and small business owners to join us as vendors and become part of Firehouse Vintage.
OUR MONTHLY MARKETS & THE BACKYARD
In addition to the store, we plan to host monthly outdoor markets featuring local pop-up vendors, food trucks, live music, and community gatherings. Our goal is to create an event that brings people together while supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Hondo and Medina County.
THE BACKYARD
Behind the firehouse, we are creating a relaxing outdoor space with vintage patio décor, plants, tables, chairs, umbrellas, and a large farmhouse table where friends and families can gather. We hope it becomes a place where people can sip coffee, read a book, visit with friends, and simply feel at home.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing before- and-after photos, restoration updates, and a closer look at the history of this incredible building.
We can’t wait to share this journey with you and look forward to announcing our Grand Opening soon.
Thank you for welcoming us to Hondo.
❤️ Jesse & Letty Bustamante
Firehouse Vintage
1905 Avenue K
Hondo, Texas
