“It just made them feel good to see that green roof again,” she said.

Bill Lant also conducted business Saturday selling items to customers and friends on his first day back in business.

The Lants were in Joplin at the time the tornado struck and didn’t realize the devastation until they saw television news coverage.

“We heard they were using our place as a triage center, then as a morgue,” Bill Lant said.

“We lost some friends and neighbors,” he said.

Linda and Jim Cruzan, of Hornet, were at Saturday’s celebration in support of their friends.

Jim Cruzan recalled the time he and his wife were embarking on a cruise, and they arrived at the bridal shop to rent some formal wear.

“She (Jane Lant) said ‘no,’” he said. “She loaned me free a tuxedo and my wife a formal.”

Linda Cruzan said the couple’s ability to rebuild and reopen reflects the spirit of the area.

“I’ll be coming back to buy feed again,” Jim Cruzan said.

Killer tornado

The May 10 tornado killed 16 people in Newton, Jasper and Barry counties, and destroyed more than 150 homes.