Hondo, Texas – Owner Melissa Clare said Chateau Clare Boutique Bed & Breakfast will be fully booked this weekend.
“We're fully booked,” Claire said. “We were shocked, overwhelmed and very excited about it all.”
A solar eclipse is scheduled to pass through south central Texas on Monday, and TxDOT is expecting increased traffic in the state. For small business owners, more people means more sales, and small businesses across Hondo are offering eclipse specials to attract more customers.
“We had a special barbecue for them tonight,” Claire said. “The weather will hold out, so we should be able to enjoy it.”
Main Street Mercantile on Highway 90 commissioned T-shirts and trinkets themed around this celestial event.
“Small businesses have had a tough time this past year,” owner Heather Ward said. “Anything we could get excited about was great.”
Ward said the items arrived last week and are selling multiple items a day.
“I was very excited,” Ward said. “They were really popular.”
While Hondo is starting to fill up with people trying to see the eclipse, Ward said she hopes people will stop and support small businesses in the area.
“We feel this will have a huge impact on our small town community,” Ward said.
If you have not yet departed to your eclipse viewing destination, TxDOT is reminding drivers to be patient and plan ahead before heading out. Click here for tips.
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