Natalia Chi
The Edgewater store, which was forced to close after severe flooding just a few months ago, has reopened thanks to donations from the community.
The doors of Deirdre Austin’s dream store DMApothecary reopened at noon Saturday.
The idea behind the store is a tribute to her late mother, which inspired her to open this store in the first place.
“I wish she was here to see it. I know she’s probably here with me in spirit,” Austin told NBC 5 while holding back tears. rice field.
I didn’t expect to be able to resume so quickly, so I cried tears of joy.
“She will be thrilled,” said Austin.
What was already a dream come true at some point has already turned into a nightmare.
“We got the space in April and opened on September 2nd. We were on fire. An incredible holiday season. Wheels flew off the bus in the flood on December 28th,” Austin said. Told.
She said the pipe next door burst from the bitter cold and the flooded DMA Posecary. All handmade items in her shop were destroyed.
“The water was so powerful that we picked up 25 pounds of butter and oil and moved it to the lobby,” she said.
But an online fundraiser as of Saturday was able to raise more than $7,500 to help Austin and her son Matthew Walcott. I was.
Walcott told NBC 5, “I want to thank everyone who has supported us from the bottom of my heart.
Austin, a woman of faith, says her mother must have been watching over her and spreading a message of hope to others.
“Thank you for the journey. If you have a dream, never give up,” said Austin.
Her shop is open, but she added that she is still working to replace electrical equipment for her soap and candle making classes.
You can find a GoFundMe fundraiser to help DMApothecary keep improving here.
