Unlike other businesses, the Family Tree Christian Book Store and Antiques was not originated with the thought of creating a livelihood or large income producing business, but rather to help a family member to have an outlet for her silk flower arrangements. Later on daughter, Linda Smith and husband, Randy were also part of the Family Tree.

In 1981, after much prayer about the name, The Family Tree opened on Highway 287 in Grapeland. Maria and Eddie Grounds thought the name would refer to their family of relative, but the Lord revealed the name to mean “His family, the family of God.” and the silk flower portion of the business soon gave way to more. New Testaments and Christian Books were displaced around the shop. The birth of a ministry to the Grapeland community had begun. The Family Tree moved to it’s current location on Business 287 in Grapeland.

Maria Grounds, a native Cuban, attended Christian schools in Cuba and was raised in a Christian home. She came to the United States to finish her education. Maria met Eddie Grounds of Grapeland in 1948, he is the son of W.A. Grounds and Louella Grounds of Grapeland. Eddie and Maria lived in Houston until 1983. They retired from the building business and moved to their home in Grapeland. 

Eddie does the bookkeeping and Maria does all the purchasing. Their neighbors Bob and Betty Brown come to their aid to keep The Family Tree open when the Grounds are away. The Grounds have two children, their daughter Linda and husband, Randy Smith live in Grapeland and have two girls, Maria Danelle and Christine Smith. Linda is a secretary at Grapeland High School. Randy works for U.S.I in Latexo as a traffic supervisor. Their son Ed Grounds, Jr. lives in Austin with his wife, Brenda, daughter, Jamie and son, T.J. Brenda is part-time secretary for Lake Travis school district in Austin. Ed Grounds has his own business, Grounds Construction Company.

The Family Tree Christian Bookstore is a member of the Christian Booksellers Association.

The Family Tree Christian Bookstore offers a new excellence and a new enthusiasm, as a business and as a person ministry with the best in Christian literature, Bibles, Bible stories, concordances, dictionaries, music, games, Christian greeting cards with a message from God’s Word, and a children’s department which has a large selection of books reflecting Christ and the Christian life. They also provide church supplies, Spanish books and much more.