BROOKINGS In the aftermath of a fire that destroyed Brosts Fashions at 318 Main Ave. last Monday, nearby businesses damaged by the blaze are still picking up the pieces.
Were not ready to give up. We have hope to build back bigger and better, Jamie Werre with The Exchange at 322 Main Ave. said. We have received an outpouring of offers which were extremely grateful for. Weve had a lot of volunteers want to help in this process. So were extremely grateful for all of those people. Right now we dont need any physical help, but what we hope is that when we reopen or are in our temporary location we receive support with people continuing to do business with us.
For the time being, they remain closed.
We are unable to use our building at all the way it currently exists. So before we reopen, we need to basically remodel the store. We are still currently waiting for a lot of insurance hurdles to jump through, Werre said. Although our building isnt going to be usable for quite some time, we are going to try to create a temporary space that we can help people with special orders or purchases. That, I have to wait for the ATFs approval on We will not have anything on display at this location. It will be for special orders and pick up.
She said theyll provide updates on their Facebook page.
Nearby business owner Erica Grinde from Emerald Grace Clothing Company at 314 Main Ave. said theyre hoping to bounce back.
Things couldve been a lot worse. Obviously, our hearts go out to Seven Songbirds and Brosts who had worse damage, Grinde said. Emerald Grace wont be moving out of Brookings anytime soon We have some ideas already of how we can temporarily open. Its just a matter of getting that in place and getting some new inventory ordered. Were just very thankful to everybody who has sent us prayers, thoughts and kind words.
She said the financial future is uncertain.
We were able to get into our space (on Jan. 2) to assess damage with insurance, and they did deem our store a total loss, Grinde said. They are supposed to do some sort of wage coverage and income loss, but what that is and how thats calculated I dont know. So I dont know if Ill be without pay or not For me though, this was my full time job.
She said its difficult predicting what her needs will be.
Its just hard because I dont know if Ill be getting my wages covered or not, Grinde said. So I dont want to say, yeah I need my wages covered, and then people donate, but it turns out I got my wages covered. So I dont want to take advantage of the situation.
Sheri Vaughn with Hand Tied Floral Boutique at 314 Main Ave. echoed those financial worries.
There are little financial burdens that are still there like you have to pay such-and-such bill. Suddenly theres no income coming in, but the bills dont stop, Vaughn said. Thats the weird part about it. I dont have to go to work today. And yet youve never wanted to go to work so badly in your life, right?
She said she wont be giving up.
Right now Im looking for a temporary location. I can still do flowers at home, but its not ideal, Vaughn said. Thank you to everyone for the support that youve shown. Its been overwhelming in a very good way. When it first happened, we had to stop reading some of the comments it was just overly emotional and it was really hard. People have come up to me that I dont even know, and its been very positive. Thats what keeps us going.
Megan Nelson from Prairie Soul Studio at 314 Main Ave. said they had only recently moved into their location.
While we were only in our new location for a month, there was so much joy in being surrounded by so many other locally owned businesses and the energy Downtown Brookings holds. We are eager to find our way back there and to support everyone rebuilding in the coming months, Nelson said. We are working hard to find an alternate location so we can hold classes while they work to ensure we have a safe and clean space to return to. That timeline is unknown, so we are moving forward as optimisticallyas we can We miss our students, and they have expressed how much they miss their weekly routine.
Josh Johnson of Johnson & Richter Creative at 314 Main Ave. hopes the community continues supporting all the affected businesses.
We just ask that you keep all of the other businesses impacted by this in your thoughts, Johnson said. Right now we are still operating as best we can doing a minimal amount of client work We hope we have a better, temporary long term solution for an office along with replacing necessary equipment in the next couple of weeks, so we can be closer to fully functional. Permanent solutions will probably take a few months.
He said Brookings is a special place.
We find ourselves extremely lucky to live in the community of Brookings, Johnson said. So many people have shown up in so many different ways, and all we can do is say thank you. We want to send an extra special thank you to the Brookings Fire Department, Brookings Police Department and other first responders from surrounding communities. Your efforts gave our business the opportunity to continue to exist.
Angela Geraets with Estheva Spa Therapies at 314 Main Ave. said theyre stuck waiting but still have hope.
There isnt really much I have to say, but I feel for the businesses and the tenants.I made it out a little better than most, Geraets said. Still have smoke and water damage that is to be expected. The waiting game is the hardestpart, but everyone made it out safely. Huge, thank you for the fire department for all their hard work and doing what they do. All the texts, messagesand calls that I personally have received have not gone unseen.
The Ugly Duckling at 312 Main Ave. sustained less damage than some businesses but still remains closed. Co-owner Karen Burns said theyre still clearing out smoke from the main floor, and their basement was heavily damaged by water. She has tentative plans to re-open the weekend of Jan. 11.
Most of us are fighting to get open again. Were not going anywhere, Burns said. Ultimately its going to be the safety of the customers with us getting stuff done downstairs, because we dont want to injure them while theyre trying to shop and support us. We want to reopen safely but quickly at the same time.
Ugly Duckling co-owner Char Flippo said they can still do online orders.
If people want to right now, weve got a website were working on getting up and running, Flippo said. They can shop online, do local pickup, or we can ship too. Its uglyducklingsd.com.
Rachael Dunham is another co-owner and said the best way the community can help is by continuing to shop locally.
The one thing that we ask of the community is that when we re-open, show us your love, Dunham said. Me being a co-owner who came up from Lincoln, Neb. where its hundreds of thousands of people to a small community here, my breath is taken away by the outpouring and outreach of this city, the community members and everybody else whos willing to come and help. It warms my heart.
The Ivy Center at Brookings Behavioral Health and Wellness is accepting monetary donations to support those impacted by the fire. Monetary donations can be made at https://donorbox.org/downtown-brookings-fire-relief. Donations of physical items are also being accepted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 211 Fourth St. More information is online at https://brookingsivycenter.org.
Contact Jay Roe at [email protected].
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