Houston and Alma Goodson bought it in 1940. Alma lived her entire life in the Five Points area. Growing up on "Bosses Row," now Oakwood Avenue in the Dallas Mill Village area, her father was a foreman at the mill.
The Goodsons eloped, and were married in Fayetteville Tennessee in 1929. They were both teachers at Rison School, and in those days a husband and wife could not teach at the same school. Their marriage was kept a secret until their oldest daughter Marilu was on her way.
Having 3 children Marilu, Bill and Pat…eight grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren was their greatest legacy, but perhaps their greatest "neighborhood legacy" is as owners of Zesto from 1950 until 1975. They also owned 5 neighborhood grocery stores, including the Wells Avenue Grocery and Goodsons Variety Store, a five & dime, which Mrs. Goodson managed. The small neighborhood groceries went out when larger chain groceries came to town, and the five & dimes went out of business as Parkway City and strip malls came into being.
Roy Jones started Zesto in 1948, but most remember Houston and Alma Goodson, who owned Zesto from 1950 to 1975. Mr. Goodson coined the names of the ever famous "dip dog" and the "Zesto burger." They served the first soft serve ice cream in Huntsville, and there were lines that wrapped around the block to sample this wonderful new treat. All things evolve, and today this popular corner eatery is now home to Sazio and is just as busy as it ever was.
Mr. Goodson was a city councilman, and served as President of the council during his last term. The Goodsons were known and loved by everyone in the area.