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HGTV show may feature Lumberton antiques
Thressa Mott stands at the Antique Mall in Lumberton.
Maddie Sims | The Silsbee Bee
Maddie Sims madelyn@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee LUMBERTON — HGTV’s newest show may feature some local finds from Hardin County. The show, Extreme Buyers Club, is about a Texas real estate agent Noel Collier who will help clients with unique property requests find their dream homes. During the eight-episode season, she’ll step into buyers' surprising — and sometimes shocking — worlds to experience how they live. Then, she'll scour the market for out-of-the-box listings that fit their unprecedented wish list, according to the HGTV website. The furniture they bought was a dresser, a matching side table and two display shelves. Thressa and Jimmie Mott, owners of the Antique Mall in Lumberton found out about it after they had already come into the store, Thressa said. The cashier was the one to ask them where the furniture would be going, as they usually post online about where everything ends up. “We also do a live sale once a month and we hear people from all over watch, including out of state, so it’s very possible they caught our Facebook live,” she said. “We were complimented that they found pieces that they thought were good for their episodes.” The show staff also stopped by Country Lane Antique Mall in Lumberton and grabbed one of the mantle pieces they had, owner Judy Carter said, mentioning that they told her one of the episodes will be filmed in Port Arthur. Extreme Buyers Club will premiere Tuesday, July 21 at 9 p.m., 8 p.m. Central Time, and stream on HBO Max starting the next day. The Antique Mall of Lumberton is located at 181 S Main St. in Lumberton and is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday’s from Noon-6 p.m. The Country Lane Antique Mall is located at 114 Country Lane Dr. in Lumberton and is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday’s from Noon-5 p.m.
Harold brings heart to Tiger Hut
Tiger Hut owner Wendy Rodgers stands with Harold Lopez, whose smile and hard work have made him a beloved part of the Silsbee restaurant.
Dylan Busby | The Silsbee Bee
Dylan Busby dylan@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee SILSBEE — For three years, Harold Lopez has been a familiar face at Tiger Hut, and for many customers, the place does not feel quite the same when he is not there. Tiger Hut owner Wendy Rodgers said Lopez, who has special needs, came to work at the Silsbee restaurant about three years ago. Like any new employee, he had to learn the job. He worked with a job coach for a week, then spent time putting what he learned into practice before the coach returned for another week of training. After that, Rodgers said, Lopez had it down. “He knows what to do,” Rodgers said. “He does really good.” Rodgers said there was only one issue from a customer when Lopez first started working at Tiger Hut, and it did not last long. “One,” Rodgers said. “And then he got set straight real quick.” That customer no longer comes in, she said. Since then, Lopez has become one of the people customers expect to see when they stop by. Rodgers said if Lopez is not working, people notice quickly. “If he’s ever not at work and somebody comes in, they will know where Harold is,” Rodgers said. She estimated customers ask about him as many as 20 times when he is not there. The reason is simple. Rodgers said Lopez brings a good attitude to work, and people enjoy being around him. His presence has helped add to the atmosphere of the restaurant. Rodgers said her belief in giving people with special needs a chance comes from personal experience. Her best friend had special needs and later lived with Rodgers after developing Alzheimer’s disease. The two met while at Texas Coffee Company. Rodgers said her friend’s job was to sit at a machine and turn lids. It was not complicated work, but it was work that mattered. That experience stuck with her. “I think that anyone with special needs, there’s something they could do,” Rodgers said. Rodgers said having a job gives people purpose. It makes them feel important, needed and wanted. For business owners who may be unsure about hiring someone with special needs, Rodgers said they should look around their workplace and think about what jobs could be done with the right training and support. “Any business that has a position that a special needs person could do, needs to,” Rodgers said. Three years later, he is not just an employee. He is Harold, and customers know when he is missing from work.
