LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – While big-box stores saw shelves cleared out last week with people scrambling for supplies, small businesses in Lubbock say they were hurting over the weekend after the winter storm forced them to close their doors.
Meredith Ratke, who owns Caffeination Station, had to close her coffee shop early Friday when ice and snow covered the area. She took it day-by-day after that, ultimately losing out on more than two days of sales.
“It’s one of those things that you never want to have to close because as a small business, Saturday is one of our biggest days because nobody’s in school. Everybody’s out treating themselves after a long, hard week,” Ratke said. “But I want you to be safe and I want you to be warm was the biggest thing. And I didn’t want people hurting themselves to come get our coffee,” she said.
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, owner of Hub City Organics across the street, faced the same dilemma. He said he would have preferred to stay open, if possible, but he has college-age employees he didn’t want to have to be out on the roads.
“If it was up to me, I probably would have just stayed here. I probably would have just made a bed in the back of the shop, and just stayed here for those two days,” Fitzpatrick said.
Both owners said losing two days of sales makes a significant impact on their operations. Fitzpatrick said every transaction matters for small businesses.
“Being a small business like we are, every customer that walks in our door matters. Every sale at our cash register matters. That makes a big difference for us at the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of the month. We really depend on every single sale that we have,” he said.
Hub City Organics supports 11 different small businesses inside the store, carrying products from fresh milled flour and raw honey to sourdough baked locally. Fitzpatrick said the closures affected not only his business but also the other vendors.
“Not only does that affect us and our bottom line, but it also affects the other people that’s on our shelves as well,” he said.
Fitzpatrick said each product in his store represents a local family, and small businesses need community support regardless of weather conditions.
“Our economy is just in a weird spot right now. Last year, our sales dipped some. And I think that’s just our economy because I talk to other small businesses and the other businesses that we carry and everybody’s been affected by it,” he said.
Ratke said rising costs have created additional challenges for her coffee business.
“Especially coffee, the price of beans has escalated so dramatically. While the price of milk has dropped, beans have gone up astronomically, unfortunately. Hopefully with some of the trade stuff we’ll see a de-flux in the pricing,” she said.
Both owners said they have already seen community support as the snow melts away.
“I’m always overwhelmed with the amount of support that the community of Lubbock gives us,” she said.
Fitzpatrick encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses.
“Know your neighbors and know your businesses because we’re what makes up our community,” he said.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.