WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Business is booming in downtown Copperas Cove, thanks in part to a local couple investing in their hometown.
Andy Remedies and Betina Cash bought the abandoned Cove Theatre in 2021.
Since then, they’ve opened a diner, launched a boutique and are now preparing to expand even further.
If you drive through downtown Copperas Cove, you’ll still see for-sale signs on abandoned buildings. But the couple is hoping to change that.
“That kind of nostalgia and that small-town feel is something that’s missing,” Remedies said. “Copperas Cove has gone through a great amount of growth in the 20-plus years since we’ve graduated high school.”
The two, who grew up in Copperas Cove, said they’re using their personal skills and experience to bring back the town they remember.
They purchased the abandoned Cove Theatre four years ago, which now hosts movies and live shows. Two years later, they opened Herb and Ernie’s Family Diner. Inside, there’s also a boutique featuring over 50 local vendors.
Remedies said it’s rewarding to be a reliable pillar in the community.
“I think towns are missing that these days, that personal feel. I like being like, ‘Hey, go talk to Andy at Herb and Ernie’s,” he said.
Now, the couple is getting ready to expand again.
“We’re going to have a clothing section, which I would imagine would probably be back here so it’s easy for them to change clothes,” said Remedies while gesturing inside the boutique.
Cash added that since the boutique inside the diner is running out of space, they purchased the building next door to open Main Street Mercantile, a traditional general store.
Local vendors will be able to pay the owners to sell their brands inside the boutique.
“Downtowns also need retail,” Remedies said. “So, while people are eating, or after they’re eating, or after they grab a beer, they can still go and shop. We kind of wanted not just a retail store, but something that appealed to a large swath of people. We want to highlight that small-town feel, like you can come in and get a little souvenir from Copperas Cove.”
The work is exhausting, the couple admits, but they say it’s worth it to help bring more business and pride to the area.
“Come visit downtown Copperas Cove. There’s a lot going on,” Remedies said. “We encourage, especially people in our community, sometimes people feel like there’s not a lot happening locally. Just look around. There are a lot of things to be proud of.”
The couple hopes to open Main Street Mercantile in August.
