Navasota small businesses find silver linings in aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl

NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – Now that power is being restored to those affected by Tropical Storm Beryl, local businesses in Navasota said the aftermath has brought them an unexpected economic boost.

A lot of that business has come from the Houston area, said Blackberry & Honeysuckle Manager Joleigh Parker.

“It has been really interesting to see how much business we have gotten after a hurricane. It’s just kind of crazy,” Parker said.

She acknowledged the damage left behind by Beryl for many but said she’s grateful that it’s brought people to the area. In the days following the storm, she said they’ve seen an increase in business.

A brief power and internet outage and some minor flooding are the extent of the damage the store suffered. While their recovery process was minimal, Parker said she knows how lucky they were.

“These old buildings, I feel like nothing can knock them down,” she said.

But for another downtown Navasota business, the power outage had a much more damaging impact.

“When I came back Tuesday morning to open up, I had nothing but soup,” Martin Price, Owner of Martin’s Sweet Shop, said.

Price has sold ice cream for 55 years, seven of those in Navasota. When Beryl knocked out the power, melting his stock, the community sprinkled his shop with kindness.

The doors of Martin’s Sweet Shop were open Thursday but with limited stock.

“Pulled money out of my pocket to try to, you know, do what I could do,” Price said.

Martin’s Sweet Shop is the only ‘traditional’ ice cream parlor in downtown Navasota, making it a special stop for locals and visitors alike.

After learning what happened to Price’s ice cream supply, a neighboring business created a GoFundMe to help him recover.

That GoFundMe has already raised more than double what was asked.

Slowly, but surely, he’s refilling his freezers as customers pour in to show their support.

“It’s the best ice cream in the world, and he’s really kind,” young customers Sam and Erica said.

Price said it’s a display of Southern hospitality he was touched by.

”I’m from New York, and up in New York, they don’t do this. Down here, the people are a lot nicer, the kids are nicer too,” he said.

Price said he’s expecting his freezers to be refilled by next week.