'Worse than I thought': Lockhart vintage store hopes to rebuild after truck plows through building

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Magic Mirror Vintage, a well-known vintage clothing store in Lockhart, is seeking community help to rebuild after a truck plowed through its storefront early Monday morning.

Store owner Natalie Ribbons told KXAN a man was leaving a nearby business when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the store. While Ribbons is glad no one was hurt, she said repairing the damages will have significant costs. 

'A lot worse than I thought'

When she arrived at the store to assess the damage, Ribbons said she was shocked at how significant the damage was.

"I thought 'gosh I'm going to have to pay to repaint the front window,' and then I saw a huge hole in the back door of the store, and that's when I started to realize this was going be a lot worse than I thought," Ribbons recounted.

She emphasized the damage, saying the truck drove through the entire store. To add to the uncertainty of the situation, Ribbons said the building and her business are both uninsured.

"Everything's damaged and it's very overwhelming to say the least," Ribbons said.

Now that the store is temporarily out of commission for renovations, Ribbons said she will need help more than ever. 

“It is all completely destroyed. [Natalie’s] inventory is wrecked. And as of this morning, the front of the building is wide open,” according to a GoFundMe set up by Ribbons' friend.

At the time, Ribbons was waiting on Code Enforcement to assess the structure of the building to ensure it was safe to enter. Once she gets to 'OK' to go inside, she will begin the process of boarding up the windows and move what is left of her inventory to a safer space.

The GoFundMe said that Ribbons isn't sure what "rebuilding even looks like. But we know she will need support to pay her employees ... along with many other expenses that will come and to rebuild."

'Showing a lot of empathy'

Since the incident, Ribbons said she has received tons of support from the Lockhart community and friends.

"Something like this is pretty dramatic regardless, but in a small town it's kind of like the biggest news of the year," Ribbons said.

Ribbons spent all morning by her store's side. However, she said she isn't navigating this devastation alone. Community members gave her hugs and are "showing a lot of empathy," Ribbons said. "I love my town."

While this incident is devastating for Ribbons, she told KXAN she is glad no one got hurt. "It could've been so much worse. I'm really glad no one got hurt. I'm glad that none of my employees were here," Robbins said.

The Lockhart Chamber of Commerce posted on social media urging the community to come together to assist Magic Mirror Vintage, Ribbons and her employees during this time. 

“Her shop isn’t just a store-- it’s a haven of creativity, sustainability, and charm,” the post said. The post added that Ribbons' work embodies what makes Lockhart special and “is a true pillar of downtown.”

"We are asking you-- not just as Chamber members, but as neighbors -- to consider offering your support," the post said.