CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx \u2014 Roland Garza works at Frank’s Produce, a family business that’s been a Westside staple for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n
“Talking to a few customers already. They believe there will not be a big celebration at the cemeteries due to what’s going on here with the policies of immigration. So a lot of people are scared to venture out,” Roland Garza, Employee at Frank’s Produce, said.<\/p>\n
He tells me faith plays a big role for many of his customers.<\/p>\n
“In this community. In this part of Corpus Christi, it is big,” Garza said.<\/p>\n
But Garza says some of his customers fear that celebrating openly will make them a target.<\/p>\n
“A lot of religion is involved in politics. They’re seeing it now. So they are shying away from it,” Garza said.<\/p>\n
Stores like his have felt the change with sales dropping as some customers hold back.<\/p>\n
“It used to be pretty big. A lot of traditions are stopping,” Garza said.<\/p>\n
But just a few minutes down the street, I found Amanda Lopez at Castro’s Flower Shop still helping families prepare their ofrendas.<\/p>\n
“Marigolds. Everyone would normally buy marigolds,” Amanda Lopez, Employee at Castro’s Flower Shop, said.<\/p>\n
Lopez says rising prices have also made it harder to keep traditions going.<\/p>\n
“People are just shifting. It’s not so traditional,” Lopez said.<\/p>\n
And even as things change, Amanda continues to celebrate for a deeper reason.<\/p>\n
“I feel connected to them everyday. But whenever we take the time to remember them extra that day, it feels like they’re really right next to you,” Lopez said.<\/p>\n
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