THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Corner of Navarro and Rio Grande

It's time for another nostalgic piece about Victoria, and that is seeing "Bubba" the gorilla at Tom's Vacuums. As a kid, I remember getting excited every time we passed it, and over time, it became iconic in Victoria. Just seeing the picture makes me happy.

JP TSM

Did 'Bubba' get into an altercation with someone?

It's also rumored that a Victoria resident got into an altercation with Bubba. If you know, you know. Tom's Vacuum closed its doors for good in 2014 after being open for 40 years. The land was purchased by Whataburger with plans for a Whataburger expansion in the future.

'Bubba' has had quite the journey.

When the new owners of Nissan came into Victoria, they made a new home for Bubba on the roof to welcome customers. That was short-lived. Sales were not good at the Nissan, so they decided to throw Bubba in the dumpster because they felt he was "bad luck." I remember seeing him on the rooftop.

From the dumpster to his current home.

Steve Birmingham, who was a shop foreman at Nissan at the time, heard a thump while he was working! What was the thump? They had just thrown Bubba in the dumpster. Steve, who also grew up in Victoria, wasn't having this. He retrieved Bubba from the dumpster and took it home.

Shortly after, they gave Bubba a new home at the Shenandoah Pool , and that is where you can find him today, sporting different outfits. A big thank you to Ophelia Brrmingham and Larry Taylor for sharing this story with us.

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Source: THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Corner of Navarro and Rio Grande

Categories: Victoria News