Bryan business dealing with aftermath of a fire

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Pride Cleaners at the intersection of E 29th Street and Carter Creek Pkwy caught fire Monday night, October 7, around 8:30 p.m. Five different fire stations responded to the scene to put the fire out.

Jacob Holeman has owned Pride Cleaners in Bryan for the last three years. He was shocked when he got a phone call about his business being on fire.

“It was overwhelming at first. Especially when I walked in, and I saw what it looked like for the first time,” Holeman said. “We don’t know if anything is or is not ruined at this point.”

Both Bryan and College Station Fire Departments showed up moments after the fire broke out. It was quickly contained to a dryer. The BFD says that’s where the fire started.

Now, Holeman is left picking up the pieces of a business he had put his heart into.

“The event happens. That’s why insurance exists. We’re covered. Our employees and our customers are going to be covered,” Holeman said.

Although he is getting help, Will Simmen, who currently owns the Pride Cleaner’s College Station location off of Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S, says he’s going to help Holeman bounce back.

“We’ll pick up from their house. Clean and press your clothes, deliver them. Just as he did, so he won’t miss a beat with that,” Simmen said.

It’s not just Simmen lending a helping hand. Holeman says an outpouring of love from the community has centered him during the chaos that struck less than 24 hours ago.

“Well, over 100 phone calls and texts last night alone. That to me that was the emotional part of it was how many people care in this community about other community members,” Holeman said.

There is no time frame on when the Bryan location will be back up and running, but the College Station location will run its pick-up and delivery routes for the time being.

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