Latest news with #TheAppleGal
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Women's History Month: Meet 4 East Texas women business owners who have turned their dreams into reality
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — In honor of March being Women's History Month, KETK News had the opportunity to meet with four East Texas business owners who have proven that grit and determination can lead to success. From sweets to drinks, these women have turned their dreams of opening up their own business into a reality: The Apple Gal first started in the small personal kitchen of Van native and former fourth-grade teacher, Morgan Francis. Eventually, the demand for apples outgrew the capacity of Francis' home kitchen, and The Apple Gal Candy Co. opened their doors to a brick-and-mortar shop in May 2023. Although The Apple Gal 'quickly blossomed into a booming business,' Francis said she has many goals to reach for the business in the coming years. East Texas Women: Two women open a store where women, teen girls can find the perfect look 'My goal would be multiple locations throughout the country, shipping out of a huge warehouse and my apples in a department store,' Francis said. 'I just want everyone to have an Apple Gal apple.' People can find the signature hand-dipped granny smith apples at 2459 Mosaic Way in Tyler or by ordering on The Apple Gal website. Owner of The Headless Librarian, Katy Perez created a 'dark academia and cottage core' themed book boutique in Tyler to offer a welcoming space for East Texas book lovers. The Headless Librarian includes a wide-range of books for all ages and various items that are from women-owned businesses. When it comes to the types of books that Perez chooses, she puts in a lot of research for every product. Perez wasby the amount of support from Tyler and the surrounding East Texas communities. 'The best part about this is the people, the connections and the community, that has really been what's been able to fuel me to continue on,' she said. East Texas Women: Meet the woman leading East Texas' American Red Cross chapter Perez plans on expanding her small business into a brick-and-mortar store in the future with the goal of creating a space for the community to gather for book clubs and live poetry readings. People can find The Headless Librarian inside the Bluebird Antique Mall on 1718 West Gentry Parkway in Tyler or by purchasing on their website. Owner of Just Pies, Denise Weaver, uses her childhood recipes to create delicious and showstopping pies for East Texans and beyond. Just Pies first started when Weaver's sister, Tammy Harden, opened the business in 2018, but after four years, Harden decided it was time to retire, and that's when Weaver took over the shop. Not only has Weaver's family made an impact on Just Pies, but also the employees that have become the heart of the bakery, crafting pies that make East Texans come back to the business again and again. Remarkable Woman Susan Campbell works to save veteran lives 'I just try to put my whole heart into everything we bake so that someone that comes in will make them enjoy it as much as we do,' Assistant Manager of Just Pies Mandy Robinson said. Weaver's childhood recipes have been perfected by three generations of women who have dedicated their lives to upholding their family's baking standards '.' People can purchase their pies at 2970 Old Henderson Highway in Tyler or by making an order online. Owner of Cup O' Joy, Blanca Villanueva, offers a wide variety of boba teas to ensure each East Texan can find a drink they love. Cup O' Joy started when Villanueva and her husband began thinking of business ideas and originally thought of opening a Mexican restaurant, but that all changed when they took a trip to California. During the trip, they both felt inspired by the boba shop they visited, leaving them ready to bring the idea to Tyler. The boba shop opened its doors in October 2019 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Villanueva explained that the only way the business thrived through tough times was the Tyler community. East Texas woman creating a place for nonprofits to connect, flourish 'When people come here, we try to have a smile; we want people to come in and ,' Villanueva said. 'We love the feeling of people enjoying the drinks, so we want to make sure everyone enjoys what they get here with us.' Cup O' Joy has various drink options ranging from fruit tea, milk tea, smoothies and frappes with the option to add toppings. People can find their boba tea and so much more at the Cup O' Joy shop located at 105 E Eighth St., Unit #105, in Tyler. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Donations needed for East Texas organization helping survivors of domestic violence
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) — The Family Crisis Center of East Texas is hosting a food drive until March 31 to benefit the survivors of domestic violence abusers and their families. 'Concern, fear and alarm': East Texas nonprofits worried about federal fund freeze The agency provides support for women, men and children who need crisis intervention to prevent family violence and sexual assault through education and community awareness. The deadline for food items to be dropped off is March 31 at any outreach office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Highly requested foods include: Pastas Snack foods Cookies Trail mix Muffins Tomato products Chili Sloppy Joe mix Canned Peas Canned Beans Tuna Canned chicken Syrup Peanut butter Kool-Aid Plastic food storage Women's History Month: How The Apple Gal went from small kitchen to big success Safehouses found in different locations of East Texas will act as drop-off locations for the food drive. The various safehouses contribute three meals a day and snacks to an average of 30 people daily and the contributions keep their plates full year-round. The agency services the following counties. Each is open for 24 hours: Houston County Nacogdoches County Polk County Sabine County San Augustine County San Jacinto County Shelby County Trinity County The organization has an Amazon Wishlist. Donated items will be sent right to the agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Women's History Month: How The Apple Gal went from small kitchen to big success
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — From begging her friends and family to buy caramel apples to a booming business, this Tyler business owner has proven one vision can lead to sweet success. In honor of March being Women's History Month, KETK news is uncovering the journeys of women business owners who turned their dreams into reality. Blue Bell goes bananas with new ice cream flavor The Apple Gal first started in the small personal kitchen of Van native and former fourth-grade teacher, Morgan Francis. Having educators in her family, Francis was always taught to 'follow the rules' and to find a 'safe job' but by making the abrupt decision to stop teaching in 2019, she was able to follow her dreams. 'After I had my first child, I went back to work after maternity leave for about five weeks and that's all I needed to go home and tell my husband I'm not going back to work,' Francis said. 'To help with that decision, I told him for fun I would make some apples to sell to our friends.' Photos courtesy of Morgan Francis The decision to sell apples to her friends was the 'pivotal moment' that helped Francis grow from one order to 150 before she knew it. Francis first started perfecting a caramel recipe and dipping apples in her 1940s personal kitchen inside the Loop of Tyler. Local bakery represents East Texas in Washington 'It was not only a home kitchen, it was the tiniest shoe box kitchen and it was good for me because I was able to learn proficiency and be organized,' Francis said. Eventually, the demand for apples outgrew the capacity of Francis' home kitchen, and The Apple Gal Candy Co. opened their doors to a brick-and-mortar shop in May 2023. Photos courtesy of Morgan Francis As her caramel apples flew off the shelves, Francis now had the ability to focus on what is truly important to her, her family and giving back to the community. When Francis isn't working at the shop, you can find her sharing apples with local hospitals, schools and law enforcement. 'That's what's important to me, how much can I help the community around me and how much time can I spend with my family,' Francis said. Photos courtesy of Morgan Francis Although The Apple Gal 'quickly blossomed into a booming business,' Francis said she has many goals to reach for the business in the coming years. 'My goal would be multiple locations throughout the country, shipping out of a huge warehouse and my apples in a department store,' Francis said. 'I just want everyone to have an Apple Gal apple.' East Texas candy store seeing 200% cocoa price increase People can find the signature hand-dipped granny smith apples at 2459 Mosaic Way in Tyler or by ordering on The Apple Gal website. Photos courtesy of Morgan Francis Some of The Apple Gal signature apple flavors include: Salted Caramel Almond Joy Salted Peanut Apple Pie Italian Cream Cake German Chocolate Cake Star Crunch Cookies and Cream Butterfinger Sprinkle Cookie Butter Heath Peanut Butter Cup Circus Animal Moo Crunch Pecan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
