Joplin, Mo (KSDK) -- It was almost on year ago that an EF5 tornado destroyed nearly a third of Joplin, Missouri.
Among the destruction, the home and business of 76-year-old Carolyn Pendergraft and her 81-year-old husband, Dude. But, they are back and better than ever.
After nearly 60 year in business, Dude's Donuts is still satisfying customers with made from scratch donuts.
"He always said that house is full of memories.," said Carolyn. "He never wanted to move away from it. We heard it rip the roof off but we didn't get a scratch. God is very good."
Their decision to rebuild came before the rain from the storm had stopped.
"It took the front part of the roof off and the rain was coming in and I went in to check on him and he was singing 'to God be the glory, great things he has done.' And I went in my kitchen, a hole in the roof, water pouring all over everything, so I went and got my broom and started sweeping," explained Carolyn.
"I can't say that we lost that much. We did. But things are replaceable. If your insurance company will work with you," laughed Carolyn.
And after six months, that would be hard on a couple half their age, Dude's reopened. They were the first on their block that now looks much different.
"Strange, uneasy, uncomfortable. The building is different. We tried to get it as antiquee as we could like the other one was," said Carolyn.
But what Dude's has can't be replicated; it turns out, it can't be lost to a storm either. People lined up around the block when the shop reopened.
"To me it was overwhelming, the response. We've known some of these customers, the fifth generation. And it never dawned on me they would miss us so much." said Carolyn.
With so many businesses damaged, Joplin leaders worried about their tax base for rebuilding. But with other businesses following Dude's lead, and with thousands of people in town everyday to help rebuild, the city has actually seen an increase in tax revenues from businesses.
KSDK