NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas -- While the Texas economy reopens, small towns dependent on tourism are still feeling the heavy impact of COVID-19. 

What You Need To Know


  • Gruene General Store a staple in Gruene, Texas

  • Owner Cathy Schindler weighing safety against need for revenue

  • Fears increase in tourists will lead to further spread of COVID-19

However, some business owners are concerned that when the tourists return, they might bring the virus with them. 

For the Schindlers, owning and running the Gruene General Store is a family endeavor. 

“We’ve had the store for about 21 years," owner Cathy Schindler said. “My mother-in-law works here as well and my two teenage sons, so you can at any time, have all three generations in here at one time.”

The store sits in the center of the Gruene Historic District within the city of New Braunfels. 

The interior of Gruene General Store in the Gruene Historic District within New Braunfels, Texas, appears in this image from May 5, 2020. (Niki Griswold/Spectrum News)

“I love everything about Gruene, and I think it's such a unique place," said Schindler. "We don't want it to get real blown up and commercialized.”

“It’s just an experience when you go in and it feels like you're back in time," said Kristi Lindahl, a Gruene visitor. "I think we all really need those roots, especially if you're a Texas bred and born person.”

Gruene’s economy heavily depends on tourism, which has taken a major hit during the pandemic. 

“The business and sales has gone down, probably 90 percent," said Schindler. "Our sales staff and our employees, we normally have anywhere from 10 to 12 employees in the store at this time of year and we have two to three right now.”

Because of the food items and products it sells, the Gruene General Store is considered essential. Schindler says they’re doing their best to operate safely, and make enough revenue to survive. 

“We're taking every precaution necessary for our employees," said Schindler. "All of the people who have come in have been really good about self-social distancing. It has not been an issue yet and we're hoping that it does not become one.”

A concern is that if tourism increases too quickly, so could the risk of COVID-19. 

“We want things to open up at a slow pace and a safe pace for everyone involved so that we can get back to where we were," said Schindler. 

In the meantime, Schindler says she’s grateful for community members who are doing their part to help beloved local businesses survive. 

“They’re the fiber of all our communities and eventually these things are going to start dying off and you just don’t want that to happen," said Lindahl. 

“What gives me the hope are customers like these ladies over here that are coming out today to get an ice cream and just say hi and be supportive of our business," said Schindler. 

A sign in the Gruene Historic District within New Braunfels, Texas, reminds people to practice social distancing in this image from May 5, 2020. (Niki Grisworld/Spectrum News)