It’s no secret COVID-19 restrictions have crushed small businesses, many of them forced to shut their doors forever.
And for one local ice-cream shop who is known for employing folks with special needs, things looked just as bleak.
But instead of sitting back and letting this sweet shop close their doors for good – this incredible community rallied together and ended up saving the day.
Located in Dallas, Texas, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream has employed individuals with special needs since 2015.
Locals love flocking to the shop to get a scoop of ice cream served by a friendly and smiling face.
But the pandemic made things nearly impossible for the shop to stay open.
With many people out of work and closures – things weren’t looking so good.
The owner, Tom Landis, was even about to throw in the towel and give up hope…
… but then the incredible happened.
Live Action reported
“I think it got to the point honestly where it took absolutely a very clear message of me realizing ‘You know what? I can’t do it. I can’t do it, and it’s time to throw in the towel,’” Landis said.
“And I honestly think that’s when God said ‘You can’t do it? Yep, no, you can’t. But you know what? I’m going to surround you with a village of people, people from all over Dallas.’”
And God delivered.
Not wanting to see the doors of their beloved ice-cream shop close forever, one local patron stepped up and created a GoFundMe page, which ended up raising over $100,000 to help the doors of this ice cream store stay open!
What a miracle!
Both locals and strangers alike donated to the cause.
Landis also appeared on the TODAY show with one of his employees (who is the vice president and face of the shop) and happens to have Down syndrome – and an investor offered them a $50,000 grant to keep them afloat!
Because of the community rallying around this tiny ice cream shop – they were able to raise enough funds to keep their doors open.
Cheers to Landis for employing so many people with intellectual disabilities!
Many business owners wrongly assume those with special needs are unable to work or contribute to society – but Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Shop shatters that myth.
While COVID-19 has still claimed many businesses, it’s refreshing to know there are acts of kindness taking place across America working to help their own community who are saving the day.
If there is a small business in your neighborhood – consider supporting them now more than ever during this season.
All it takes is a group of committed citizens rallying together to make a difference.
We wish Howdy Homemade Ice Cream shop and all their employees continued success in their business journey!
To stay current on the latest Mommy Underground stories, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and be sure to like and share our posts!