RICHLAND, Wash. – Amethyst Creamery has seen challenges in the month of November. The Richland Ice Cream has been broken into twice this month and now owners Doug and Amy Tallman are facing a new challenge.
Amy, Doug’s wife recently suffered a brain aneurysm and had to be hospitalized. Amy was recently released and just a few minutes after getting home the Tallmans received a phone call that Amy’s mother had died.
Doug made the tough decision to temporarily close their doors so he could focus on taking care of Amy.
“Amy is doing ok,” said Tallman. “She’s not moving around real well, so I have to pretty well keep an eye on her most of the time.
Tallman said they’re waiting on referral paperwork to Spokane for a surgery she needs.
Local businesses around the community heard their story and have decided to step up.
Brenton Nundahl, one of the managers at Tumbleweeds said they wanted to do their part to help one of their own.
“It’s all about community,” said Nundahl. “When we see a need in our community, we’re always one of the first people to jump up and support. So as soon as Doug had posted on Facebook about them closing temporarily, we instantly jumped in to help.”
Nundahl said a customer came up with the idea of naming a burrito the Amethyst Burrito and 50% of the proceeds made from that burrito go right to Tallman.
Nundahl said Tumbleweeds isn’t the only business taking part to show their support and sent a list of those businesses.
The list includes:
– Rollin’
– Blu
Tallman said the people in the Tri-Cities and the businesses in the Tri-Cities coming to our aid is just incredible and overwhelming. Tallman said he wants those to know it means a lot to him.
“I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart to the top of my heart for both Amy and I,” he said. “I will never forget this.”
Nundahl said in two days Tumbleweeds have sold 244 Amethyst Burritos and $1,200 will go straight to the Tallman family.