CHINA SPRING, Texas — For years, grocery shopping for China Spring residents often meant a 20-to-30 minute drive to Waco, where options include H-E-B, Aldi, or Natural Grocers. That changed in March with the opening of Jayce’s Grocery Store, a new shop bringing fresh produce and other groceries closer to home.
“It’s nice to have something on this side of town,” said local shopper Stacey Castro, who visited the store for the first time Tuesday.
For owner Vorie Miller, Jayce’s Grocery isn’t just a new business — it’s a personal tribute. The store is named after her son, Jayce, who was stillborn in 2018.
After retiring from the military in 2024, Miller felt called to create something meaningful for her community while honoring her son’s memory. The grocery store is attached to her brother’s pharmacy and focuses on fresh, minimally processed foods, including sourdough bread, farm-sourced meats, and organic milk.
“We’re all supporting each other’s small businesses, and it’s healthier; you know exactly what the ingredients are,” Miller said.
Shoppers are already embracing the local approach. “It was really nice … there’s a lot of different vendors that you can choose from but all in one store,” Castro said.
Just a few months after opening, Miller says the response has been overwhelming. “Our social media is blowing up … people coming in constantly,” she said.
In a fast-growing area with limited grocery options, Jayce’s Grocery Store provides residents with a convenient, community-focused alternative — and a way for Miller to honor her son’s memory every day.
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