Tom's Meat Market reopens

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Tom's Meat Market in Spurger, Texas has been largely repaired by Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006. Hurricane Rita destroyed the grocery store, which forced community residents to drive many miles to get fresh meat.


Randy Holcomb cuts beef at Tom's Meat Market in Spurger. The Holcombs were uninsured and have invested their life savings to reopen the store.


Randy Holcomb cuts round steaks at Tom's Meat Market.


Sandra Holcomb slices ham at Tom's Meat Market. Although the store requires much more work, the family-owned business is starting to recover.


Jaina Shook measures half-pound portions of ground beef at Tom's Meat Market. The market also grills and sells hamburgers.


Sharon Emerson (left) holds her granddaughter Reigan Shook, 3 months, as her father Blayke Shook (right) gives her a goodbye kiss at Tom's Meat Market in Spurger.