HOUSTON — Small businesses across the Houston area were hit hard by the storm and days-long power outages were another blow. Now that the lights are back on, businesses are working hard to make up for what they lost.
Getting back to normal will be a struggle for many.
"We were totally without power for 4 days," said Van Teamer, the owner of Pudgy's Fine Cookies.
The power is finally back on inside Pudgy's Fine Cookies. It came back Monday evening. They spent Tuesday trying to clean up and get ready to open their doors.
"We're trying to get back to it now," Teamer said.
For the first time since Thursday's devastating storm, they're back open for business.
"All of this was full," said Teamer, as she showed us her now empty freezers.
Teamer said the days-long power outage quickly wiped out their product inventory and ingredient supply.
"It was really emotional knowing how much hard work went into making the products and just throwing it away," Teamer said.
They tossed out 12,000 cookies of raw cookie dough, over 2,000 eggs, and cases and cases of butter. If it was dairy, it had to go.
"To me I knew I was going to take a hit," Teamer said. "The funds aren't coming in, but plenty are going out."
They've managed to restock and the kitchen are slowly starting to churn out cookies. So far, only half of her creations are on the limited menu. They can't make enough to fulfill wholesale orders yet.
"We're just trying to catch up," Teamer said.
Teamer knows she's not alone. Underground Creamery is slowly starting to whip up ice cream, too. Walk-up orders will take a few days to replenish. Recovery is a process.
"People will have to take out some loans because insurance won't cover everything," Teamer said. "It'll be a big hit for the small businesses that are still without electricity."
Several strip centers and restaurants in the Heights remain in the dark. At Pudgy's, they're taking it one cookie at a time and are hopeful the community does what it always does, support each other after a disaster.
"It's going to be hard, but we're going to get through it," Teamer said.
On Thursday morning, the Small Business Administration will provide new details on the available help for business owners dealing with the aftermath of the storm during a 10:30 a.m. press conference.