How Tyler Goodrich helped a Lincoln small business weather the pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Five years ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses worldwide, the owner of The Chocolate Season was admittedly in a dark depression.

What made the situation worse was a Facebook user who lobbed vicious attacks toward Erika Jensen and her south Lincoln business.

The torment continued for months — that is, until Tyler Goodrich stepped in.

“And all of the sudden, this guy shows up on social media,” Jensen said. “He was basically like, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been to Chocolate Season, I know Erika, whatever you’re saying is lies. She’s amazing, the store is amazing. You need to back off.'”

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The catch? Goodrich and Jensen didn’t really know each other.

But that small act of stepping in reshaped Jensen’s belief that her business would make it through the pandemic.

“I was so hopeless, and I just felt like I’m never going to make it here,” she said. “And his small act of kindness really gave me a belief that I would not go broke and bankrupt and my family would be homeless.”

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The two stayed connected on social media, and once restrictions lifted, were able to meet in the shop near 40th Street and Old Cheney Road.

Goodrich would visit with his family or stop in after a run — bringing a warmth with his presence, Jensen said.

“He’s just the most charismatic, charming, just authentic, kind person,” she said. “He was such a family man, and he loved everybody. And he was so selfless, with a little bit of a wild side. Just a good guy, a good guy.”

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After Goodrich’s November 2023 disappearance, she reached out to the family — and Goodrich’s parents came into the store.

His dad, Lonnie, and mom, Pam, became like family immediately.

“He (Lonnie) just gave me the biggest hug. And I could tell he needed it, and I needed it,” Jensen said. “They just kind of started coming in, and I got to know Pam and Lonnie, and I can see why Tyler is the magnificent person that he is.”

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The Chocolate Season became a hot spot in the Goodrich search, a place where things like flyers, bracelets and signs could be picked up.

The business also took its food truck out to searches and helped host a fundraiser.

Jensen said she’s thankful there is some closure now that Goodrich’s body has been found, adding the business will be here to support the family in any way they can going forward.

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She also thanked the Lincoln community for how it turned out for Tyler and praised the reach his story garnered on social media both in and out of Nebraska.

She said it’s proof that one small act of kindness can have an incredible impact.