NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – The city of New Braunfels is dealing with the loss of more than a thousand jobs after nearly all Scooter Store employees furloughed earlier this month learned that they will likely be permanently laid off at the end of the month.
Patti Westbrook works at the Comal Flower Shop and while business is as usual for her this Easter season, she said she really feels bad for the more than a thousand employees who lost their jobs at the Scooter Store.
"It affects everyone here and the surrounding community," said Westbrook. "There are a lot of people we know. A lot of family members and friends and we just feel sorry for them. We hope they do well and find jobs elsewhere in the community."
Scooter Store CEO Martin Landon sent out an email on Tuesday informing employees that the company is streamlining operations to develop a viable business model.
Only 117 employees in New Braunfels have been asked to return to work. That leaves nearly 1,700 Scooter Store employees out of work.
"We need to pray for all those people who are affected, all the families, all the people who worked there," said Camille Schardon, a New Braunfels resident. "This is a very traumatic time for them."
"It is difficult out there, but it's a regional economy," said Michael Meek, with the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. "We are strong and we hope that we can provide those folks jobs."
Meek said they do have an active economic development department and they are already working to get more jobs in the city.
"Our job now is showing that we have some very high quality buildings and we have a lot of skilled employees," said Meek. "USAA, if you are listening, if you are about to add a thousand folks, looking for qualified customer service people and you don't have a building to put them in ... guess what ... New Braunfels (is) a close commute. We'll take care of you."
