HOUSTON — It’s been almost 7 years since Houston native and journalist Austin Tice disappeared in the Middle East.
Since then, his family has worked nonstop to find him. Austin's parents Debra and Marc have been trying hard to free their son since 2012. They've been on CBS This Morning pleading their case for his safe return, and they've traveled to the Middle East as well.
Several businesses across the country banded together Thursday to raise awareness and money with hopes of bringing him home.
From the outside, it looks like any other day at Beautique Day Spa Salon. However, when you take a closer look, you’ll see it’s anything but business as usual.
Hairstylist Meagan Malone is Tice’s younger sister.
“We’re constantly keeping him in the forefront. Talking about him joining us. Hoping, wishing that he was here. Every single day we miss him,” Malone said. “I always have his hashtag, his number of days missing. I update it every day.”
Tice, an Eagle Scout and marine, was captured in Syria almost 7 years ago.
“We know, and it has been confirmed through our government that he is alive,” Malone said. “He will be coming home.”
The salon and more than 75 restaurants nationwide are donating a part of Thursday’s proceeds to raise awareness about his captivity.
“Night Out For Austin” hopes the money collected will be added to the FBI’s $1 million reward for information that leads to Tice’s safe return.
“The fact that we’re kind of getting this recognition now that it’s been 6 years and 8 months since he’s been missing, this kind of event is, it means a lot to my family," Malone said.
It’s a show of support that lets people know efforts to find him will never stop.
“It’s been a big hole in our family. We’re ready to have him home,” Malone said.
Here is the list of Texas restaurants that are participating:
The ‘401 Table and Tap
6700 Ferris St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
(832) 962-7649
bellagreen
2305 W Alabama St
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 533-0777
bellagreen
2501 Research Forest Dr
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 292-4515
Boheme
307 Fairview St.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
Georgia James
1100 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 241-5088
The Gold Fish
724 N. Mesquite
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 980-7171
Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen
2631 Underwood Rd
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 470-7424
Güero’s Taco Bar
1412 S Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7688
Jason’s Deli Dairy Ashford
14604 Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-1999
Jimmy Changas
5144 Center St
Pasadena, TX 77505
(713) 575-2700
Luby’s
1414 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 528-0880
Luby’s
1727 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, TX 77054
(713) 797-0078
Luby’s
1743 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-1713
Luby’s
9797A South Post Oak Rd
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 728-4841
Lytle Land & Cattle Co.
1150 E South. 11th St.
Abilene, TX 79602
(325) 677-1925
Max’s Wine Dive
214 Fairview St., Ste. 2
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-9200
Max’s Wine Dive
4720 Washington Ave., Ste. B
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 880-8737
One Fifth Mediterranean
1658 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 955-1024
Saint Arnold Beer Garden
2000 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
(832) 588-4424
UB Preserv
1609 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(346) 406-5923
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