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T’was the day after Christmas when all through the store, water came pouring like never before.

Dawson’s Men’s Store – the Morristown haberdashery – had just finished a great Christmas when owner Greg Shockley got on the internet to check his store’s security camera during a record-setting cold snap.

“It was about 9 a.m. on the 26th,” Shockley said. “I checked the camera and all I saw was a shiny floor.”

Shockley raced over and found water flowing out the front door.

“I came in and the water leak was toward the back of the store,” he said. “We had two inches of water from the back to the front.”

While he didn’t lose a lot of merchandise but the physical damage was significant. The flooring was ruined and had to be taken up, he said.

Shockley, however, decided to take the problem and create an opportunity.

“When I bought the store five years ago, I always wanted to remodel,” he said. “It took a flood for me to do it.”

Shockley said he believes it will all work out for the best.

“All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and I love the Lord, so I’m trusting him with this,” he said. “In the long run, I think it’s going to be good. I just have to be patient.”

Patience has been a virtue with this project.

Originally, Shockley thought the store would reopen in January … then early February… then late February then March and now, finally April.

Shockley and crew celebrated with a grand re-opening Wednesday.

“I’m just thankful to have this opportunity but it’s not me, this is because of Morristown,” he said. “First and foremost, my Lord and Savior. I also have some very important people here in the store that if they weren’t here, I couldn’t do it.

“I want to thank Herman (West,) long-time owner. I started with Dawsons in 1991 and Herman was a wonderful boss, I learned from the best. He is unmatched. He built Dawson’s men store and I’m thankful to try and carry it on.”

Shockley also thanked his employees Wilhemina Greenlee, Ruby McCamey and Gage Farrar.

“When I said I can’t do it by myself these two women are the reasons that I keep going. Wilhemina is our bookkeeper and has 47 years dedicated to Dawson’s. She is the right hand of Dawson’s,” he said. “Ruby has done our alterations 30 years, there’s nothing she can’t do. These two right here if it weren’t for them Dawson’s wouldn’t be as popular as it is because we pride ourselves on customer service.

“Herman built it that way and I try to keep it going that way. These two make it easy because I love helping people and they love helping people, that is the core of who we are. I also want to recognize Gage, he works for us part time. Very thankful.

“It’s a small team effort but we love to help the community.”

Shockley said customers will notice the difference at the remodeled Dawson’s.

“All of the colors have changed, new paints and new lights and we put in all new LED lighting,” he said. “It’s a totally different floor. Hopefully people will see a big difference and it will be inviting and they’ll want to come again and again.”

But despite the changes in Dawson’s appearance, the store itself will remain the same Shockley said.

“We had to go through COVID and I’ve had to go through a flood but Dawson’s is still here,” he said. “I’m never gonna lose what Dawson’s is, that will remain intact.”