Dear Katy,

Some of you may remember me as the former editor at the Katy Times. About two years ago, my wife Brandee and I moved to Central Washington to be closer to my family and to get back to a place that had four seasons.

The thing is, while the move has been good for us, there's a lot we miss about Katy. Primarily, the amazing people who come together and lift each other up through hurricanes, pandemics and all of those other challenges life throws at a community.

While I was there, it was my privilege to cover the people that are the heart of Katy. Folks like Nick and Nici Jessett who, until just a few days ago, ran MKT Distillery in the old rice dryers next to No Label Brewing, a facility that has been the heart of Katy for generations.

Nick and Nici always had a smile for everyone that walked in the door and did an amazing number of things to lift others up. They brewed hand sanitizer during the pandemic. They held fundraisers for local nonprofits. They were simply there as friends when someone needed one.

In the first interview I sat down with them for, they were welcoming and determined to be family-friendly and locally sourced. The rice they used to distill came from Jasek Farm. The tables were made by Republic Creations on First Street in Downtown Katy. Their very label name - MKT - was named for the rail line that is such a big part of Katy's heritage.

Overall, the opening of MKT Distillery in Katy blessed the community with a pair of friends that brought the town together, lifted everyone up - even socially awkward newspaper editors - and was a blessing to Katy. A blessing that I've missed these last two years, and that I know the community will miss for years to come.

Nick and Nici - take care of yourselves and know that the community adores you, will miss you and appreciates everything you did to take care of those around you.

With much love for my second home town,

R. Hans "Rob" Miller

R. Hans Miller

20975 Young Meadows Way

Katy, TX 77449