After Burglary, Customers Chip in to Support Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Employees

Early Tuesday morning burglars broke into a business that employs people with developmental differences.

By Tiffany Liou – DALLAS — When walking through the doors of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, customers are often greeted with a friendly, “Howdy! Welcome to Howdy Homemade.“

The popular ice cream shop in North Dallas off Inwood Road has been a neighborhood staple since December 2015.

Early Tuesday around 3 a.m., burglars broke into the store, shattering the glass door. They stole the cash register, tips, a computer, speakers and more. It happened in less than two minutes.

“Wow. That’s hard, but we’re going to get through it,” said Brandt Urban with tears in his eyes. Brandt, who has Down Syndrome, has been working at Howdy Homemade Ice Cream for nine years. He said he and his coworkers work hard for their money.

Since 2015, the owner, Tom Landis, has given people with intellectual and developmental differences a place to work and show their impact on the community. Landis said his employees run the store independently daily.

Since the break-in, many new and returning customers have shown up to support the staff, leaving extra tips to make sure they are taken care of.

Like the light-up sign inside the store, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is proof that despite what happened, you can find “happiness and hope in every scoop.”

This article originally appeared here.