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Ellicott City business reopens to help flood recovery

As the rain clears, Ellicott City business owners allowed to return to stores
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Flood recovery continues in Ellicott City has support from the community continues to grow. A business was able to reopen and is offering food to other owners and volunteers out helping on Main St. 

"It’s been a horrific week for all of us," Manor Hill Tavern owner Tri Buscher said. 

Fortunately, their building a block off Main St. was spared from the flooding, but they lost a dear friend. 

"He was like a brother to me and we will miss him," Buscher said. 

Eddison Hermond was swept away by rushing waters trying to rescue a woman on Main St. during the flood last weekend. 

"Eddison was our guy. He worked with and for us," Buscher said. 

Eddie helped them open Manor Hill Tavern last year. Now, they have opened their doors to help others, offering free food, air conditioning, electricity and bathrooms to other business owners, volunteers, first responders; anyone on the ground helping Ellicott City recover.

"Everyone is so appreciative and grateful to us for being here. It has been an emotional week for everyone. This flood has affected our entire town. We lost a dear friend. We will miss Eddison forever. Now, it’s just about rebuilding the town and trying to be part of our community," Buscher said. 

A sign of hope: the town's iconic clock has once again been recovered. 

"It’s such a big deal and an iconic monument for Ellicott City," city native Mark Haver said. 

He and his dad were out looking through debris Saturday when they spotted it in the river. 

"A bunch of cables and pipes in the clock and a little bit down stream, we actually found part of the face of the clock," Haver said. 

The clock was dedicated on the one-year anniversary of the 2016 flood and became a symbol of a town back on the rise after destruction. Unfortunately, just like in 2016, the clock washed away, but again, it was recovered. 

"It reminds of us how strong and how much hope our community has so Ellicott City can be strong once again," Haver said. 

The tavern will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for the the foreseeable future and they will fully reopen when parking lots get cleared.