Congressman Roger Williams visits Dripping Springs businesses

Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) on Wednesday, September 2, met with the owners of two businesses in Dripping Springs--the Dripping Springs Chocolat Company and Hudson’s on Mercer Street. Williams said that “main street” businesses such as these are an important part of our economy.

“It’s crucial we listen to their needs as we navigate reopening our economy and adapt to the changing times we’re living through,” Williams said. He heard from both businesses about how they’ve adapted during COVID-19.

At Hudson’s on Mercer, Owners Natasha and Chad Hudson told the congressman, they were having their best year until the pandemic hit. The music venue has experienced a 65% venue revenue drop for 2020 compared to last year. “We were able to share our plans for the future of Hudson’s. That includes more outdoor shows, live streams, virtual lessons and extending the hours that our kitchen is open,” Natasha Hudson said. “We were also able to voice our concerns about sustaining our type of business with limited capacity and extra staff due to having our kitchen open to receive permit changes through TABC,” she continued. “We absolutely understand how careful our county needs to be in reopening, but recognize that it is a challenge for restaurants, bars and music venues to support extra costs with limited capacity after being shut down for so long.”

Williams said he wants to help businesses like Hudson’s survive. “My bill, the Save Our Stages Act, would deliver the relief Hudson’s needs to fully reopen their doors for concertgoers when it is safe to do so. I’ve toured numerous venues across the 25th District over the last few months, meeting with owners, managers, promoters and artists who support the bill and are grateful for the work we’re doing as we partner together to pull through this challenge,” Williams said. Congressman Williams along with Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT-At Large) introduced the bipartisan bill in July, to provide grants from the Small Business Administration to independent music venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Save Our Stages Act would be a lifesaver to Hudson’s and businesses like ours” Natasha Hudson said. “We were happy to hear that this bipartisan bill is something that most are agreeing on in Congress. Music is unifying and we are ecstatic to hear this bill has over 300 signatures already!”

As Congress moves forward with the next coronavirus package, Williams notes some priorities.

“My top priority is providing liability protections for Main Street businesses so they can reopen without the fear of trial lawyers ruining what they’ve devoted their lives to building,” he said. “We also need to make sure they receive targeted relief and we’re utilizing the money still available from the CARES Act to provide capital where needed. We’ll continue having these open conversations so I can take their feedback to Washington and advocate most effectively on their behalf.”