In 1877, the long barrack and chapel were leased to a French merchant named Henri Grenet, who promptly remodeled them for use as a warehouse and general store. In 1882, the remodeled long barrack -- where most of the Alamo's garrison made their last stand against Santa Anna's soldiers -- was sold to the firm of Hugo & Schmeltzer, who made it a mercantile.
The Alamo/State of Texas
DRT Library, San Antonio"Remember this hallowed place, where heroes of the Republic of Texas died for OUR LOW PRICES!" just doesn't have the same ring.
But even back then you didn't mess with Texas, and public outcry began almost immediately. In 1877, Harper's bemoaned the site's use as a grocery store, saying that "market-carts roll to and fro on the funeral pyre of heroes." The state of Texas eventually decided that maybe the place deserved a better fate than "50% off hammers and spittoons" and purchased it, ending its career in retail. The site was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015, so at least what's left of it won't be used as a deli counter ever again.