ABILENE, TX — A weekend winter storm disrupted small businesses across Texas. Monks Coffee Shop faced a financial hit after being forced to conclude operations earlier than usual ahead of the Arctic front. Even as frigid temperatures linger, the shop is gradually returning to its habitual rhythm.
Monks Coffee Shop took a financial hit as the winter storm made its way through a significant portion of the U.S. (KTXS/Briannagh Dennehy).
General Manager Holly Bentea explained that the early Friday closure and full weekend shutdown hit the shop hard.
“We closed early on Friday and then we were closed all day on both Saturday and Sunday. That definitely had a big impact on us. Saturdays are our busiest day,” Bentea said. “Today has just been super slow as well.”
Despite lighter customer traffic, Bentea emphasized that keeping the shop’s employees safe was her primary focus amid the icy conditions.
“My main concern is always our baristas and our employees who work here. I want them to be safe. That’s always my first priority,” she said. “If they can make it on the roads and if I can make it on the roads, then that’s a plus.”
According to the shop’s general manager, employee safety remains a top priority (KTXS/Briannagh Dennehy).
One of the shop’s baristas, Ty Grigsby, shared his experience navigating the hazardous roadways.
“Honestly, it wasn’t too bad,” Grigsby said. “I drove a little bit slowly. I made sure to give myself enough time to defrost the windshield and everything. I was able to get here nice and safely.”
