When Harris and Pam Eaton evacuated from Hurricane Rita, all Harris could think of was the 2,500 pounds of meat he received that week at his meat market, Eaton Meats. When they returned, they found their shop’s roof was ripped off and the walls caved in. Still, Harris was determined to do something with the meat he stored in the freezer before it ruined.

So he and some friends used firewood and cooked all of the meat in two big pits and fed everyone who was working after the hurricane. And Harris fed them the good stuff too — T-bones, sirloins, ribeyes, venison, etc., free of charge.

Two years later in a payback of kindness, Harris and Pam were busy rebuilding their meat market when he began having problems with one of his legs. He went to the doctor and discovered he had blood clots all throughout his leg.

Harris went to the emergency room, and once again, he was concerned about 40 deer he needed to process. A friend of his told him not to worry and that he would take care of it. Harris’ friend gathered up all of the former Eaton Meat employees and took care of things for the Eatons.

“I’m surrounded by a circle of great people. It’s just another one of those miracles that never seem to stop happening. We couldn’t had done any of this without the help of friends and families,” Harris said.

Likewise, the Eatons believe the rebuilding of their new store was almost miraculous because the couple built the structure on their own without a contractor from the ground up and oftentimes they did not know if the money would continue to finish the project after struggling with the insurance company. Pam joked now that Harris knows how to build, he can begin on their new house.

Also, they did not advertise their grand re-opening on March 24, yet business has been “crazy” since then.

Pam said they like working with people and designed the interior of the new store to maximize on that idea.

“God’s been really good to us. He’s blessed us throughout our lives,” Harris said. “You think you’re down to your last penny, but something always goes through. It’s good to be back in business.”

Harris worked as an insulator prior to opening the meat market. He often had to travel on the job and he wanted to do something different. Harris learned meat processing while a student at Nederland High School. He told Pam to find a building so they would begin a meat market. He received a “good deal” on the old Tom and Jerry’s Liquor Store on Nederland Ave. and began Eaton Meats in 1990.

Harris said the market sells prime cut T-bones, sirloins, ribeyes that are cut and made inside the store. They also handle fresh poultry that is ice-packed, deer processing, smoke sausage, stuffed chicken, pork chops, turducken, etc. Harris said they can stuff anything.

The business also caters and serves barbecue plate lunches daily.

Eaton Meats is opened Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. He mulled on the idea of opening on Saturdays, but ruled against it.

“Life’s too short to work 90 hours a week,” Harris said.