HEMPSTEAD, Texas -- A big business in a small town closed months ago. But Hempstead, Texas, is not letting the closure of Lawrence Marshall car dealership in February stop the town's growth.

Visitors may first notice that a familiar landmark known for "clobbering big city prices" is now vacant.

There's not a car for sale in sight.

"You were just used to seeing it full of life and to drive by and see nothing now, it's a somber moment," Hempstead Mayor Michael Wolfe said.

The dealership resembles an abandoned ghost town.

But, some residents said four months after the dealership closed, the town has not seen the economic crash that was predicted.

"The schools lost money on this deal. The county lost money on this deal, but it's not catastrophic, I don't think," resident Robert Shelburne said.

Resident Ashton Williams said there is no question that the loss of nearly 300 jobs has trickled down.

"Marshall's was like the soul of a lot of small businesses, you know. They went out to eat at Denny's or the Chinese restaurant. "A lot of people that went to Marshall's brought their clothes in here and we don't see them anymore. Those same faces that we're used to seeing three or four times a week, we don't see them at all," Williams said.

But, there are signs of growth in Hempstead.

The Waller County Appraisal District is relocating from Katy.

And Logan Industries set up shop in the business park, bringing about 100 oil- and gas-related jobs.

"When they agreed to come to Hempstead, we were really excited about it and at the time had no idea that Marshall's was going to be closing. But at the same time, Marshall closes and Logan Industries opened, so one chapter closes, another opens on a different level," Wolfe said. "When you've got people who really care about the city, care about your community and willing to work together, it keeps the community strong."

"We're going to get over it. We're going to be OK," Shelburne said.

An annual celebration in the town is the Hempstead Watermelon Festival.

This year, because Lawrence Marshall is not in the picture to donate money, other local businesses are doing what they can to fill that gap to make the festival more successful than ever.

The Watermelon Festival is held the third Saturday in July.