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REFUGIO BUSINESSES BOUNCE BACK FROM STORM
Angela Piazza/apiazza@vicad.com A Little “Britt” of Heaven and Britt’s Floral owner Dana Alsop arranges a bouquet in her floral shop.
BY LAURA GARCIA lgarcia@vicad.com
REFUGIO — The roof was long gone from the 1938 gas station. The walls had caved in, and there was a foot of murky water on the floor. Many of the trinkets and knickknacks inside didn’t survive.
“Hurricane Harvey came by and took my business away from me,” said Jeff Brittain, who had run an “antiques, collectibles and good junk” store off U.S. 77 for the past 15 years.
A big chair outside, which over the years had become a tourist attraction, blew away, and a leg broke off.
In the months after Harvey, he found out that the little town of just over a couple thousand people missed that oversized chair.
“Just going to H-E-B, everyone would ask me about it,” he said. “It became a symbol of repairing Refugio.”
Brittain was able to reopen his store in March inside of a pre-fab building on the property and now mainly sells home decor imported from Mexico and yard art.
He estimates about 90 percent of his business comes from travelers passing through wanting to take a little bit of Texas with them.
He says his best-seller is still the metal dachshunds, but locals also come by for his wife’s goat milk soaps and for fresh, free-range eggs by the dozen.
He retired after more than 30 years in the oil field industry, and the store had been a way for him to keep busy.
“The best part of the whole thing is meeting people who come through the front door,” he said.
The old metal door at the gas station used to have pictures of travelers who came by to pose for photos in the chair. The tourists came from all over the world, including Canada, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Germany. That door is gone, but he keeps the photos in an envelope until he finds a way to display them again.
Brittain said he feels fortunate to be able to bring his business back.
Many residents lost their jobs and homes because of Harvey.
Down the main drag in town, at another business ,an employee was hanging a bright red sign outside a cafe that read “Now Open.” Other restaurants remain closed, and roofs all over town are covered with tarps.
“Even after a year, we’re still feeling the effects,” said Kathy Franklin, office manager at the county’s chamber of commerce. “It’s just a slow process.”
Refugio offers other places to visit. BEYOND THE GLO
The women’s boutique and tanning salon in downtown Refugio offers the latest fashion in clothing and accessories, including specialty brands with a cute Southern flair. Beyond the Glo was opened six years ago by Refugio native Sierra Mascorro. “I wanted something fun,” she said. “I wanted
something affordable.” Her target customers are working moms in sizes XS to 3X. And now, nearly unscathed by the hurricane, she’s working to expand the business at a nearby location. MOYA’S CAFE
Eat where the locals eat. If you’re from the area, this restaurant serves up Mexican food just the way your mama made it. Just a couple blocks off the main highway is Moya’s Cafe, which has been in the same tiny building and owned by the same family for generations. Regulars order the enchilada plate; the country fried steak; or Panchos, which is a plate of bean and cheese nachos topped with guacamole and jalapenos. Hurricane Harvey has only kept the doors closed for a month. “Many a birthday have been celebrated in Moya’s,” said Deb Bauer, 60, who has eaten there her whole life. In the next booth over, high school sweethearts now in their 70s come in for their favorite meal. Lynette and Robert Nixon said they were in Victoria for a doctor’s appointment but rushed home for lunch. “If you want good Mexican food, you come here,” she said. “People come from all over for it.” A LITTLE “BRITT” OF HEAVEN AND BRITT’S FLORAL
Dana Alsop, owner of A Little “Britt” of Heaven, opened her downtown event venue in the heart of downtown Refugio because she wanted to revitalize her hometown. Her parents owned Refugio Pharmacy and Flower Gift Box a couple doors down from her current business. “I grew up on this little block,” she said. The indoor banquet room can seat 100 and the beautiful outdoor courtyard can accommodate an additional 150 guests. “It kind of transports you out of Refugio,” she said. “You feel like you’re in a bistro or on Bourbon Street.” Also inside the building is a little hair salon. A few months ago, Alsop opened up a floral shop inside the building out of necessity because most of the florists in the county had been closed because of Hurricane Harvey. Alsop said her goal was to not only run a venue but start a network for those who are planning events in the region. Alsop said everything you’d need for a party is here in the area, including bakers, DJs, chalkboard artists and venues. “We don’t have to go out of town unless we choose to,” she said. In June, she booked 19 events: “For a small town, that’s pretty good.”
IF YOU GO
A LITTLE “BRITT” OF HEAVEN AND BRITT’S FLORAL
711 Commerce St. 361-688-9162
BEYOND THE GLO
718 Commerce St. 361-526-2236
HOURS // 10 a.m.-5:30 weekdays; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
MOYA’S CAFE
401 2nd St. 361-526-2487
HOURS // 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
THE STATION
411 S. Alamo St., Refugio 361-349-7088
HOURS // 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. TuesdaySaturday
