Fire Levels Belmont Plazza

[Paugus Bay Resident]

What a shame. The antique shop had some of the best old postcard collections around. Great place to browse for a few hours.

Belmont Plaza Fire (http://www.citizen.com/January2005/01.19.05/news/belmont_01.19.05c.asp)

[SAMIAM]

Studio lighting was also a wonderful shop.They had hard to find parts for antique lamps and chandeliers.They'll never be able to replace their inventory

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Drove by there this afternoon, and there's nothing left. Hat's off to all the local FDs for keeping the fire from spreading to the dance studio and Baron's plazza.

[Outlaw]

I was stopped last night at the Belknap Mall and asked to take the bypass to where I was going because Rt 3 was expected to be closed for some time. I had no idea this was the reason. What a shame for all the shop owners and the building owners. It is incredible and very happy to hear that no one and no fire fighters were hurt during the blaze. Material things can be replaced.

Hats off to all the officials who handled this and to all the other area firefighters and emergency crew who came in to handle the local emergency calls while the local firefighters and emergency crew were busy with the fire.

[Pepper]

This morning I was feeling absolutely discouraged and downright frustrated, when I discovered that all the pipes in our building had burst, and everything was frozen solid. I cussed and crowed and carried on about what a rotten thing to have happen, and all the business I'm going to lose while we repair this mess, and so on.

Then the newspapers were delivered, and I got a look at the front page ...

and felt like a jerk!

My heart is so sad for the owners of all those businesses, and my prayers are with each of them. So very sad. :(

God bless all the firefighters and police officers who braved those frigid temperatures and risked their safety battling the blaze and keeping the area and the roadway safe and clear.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Aw Pepper, don’t feel bad about being upset with what happened to your place. It’s called being human, not being a jerk. Your business didn’t burn down, but it did suffer a bad blow. You’ve had your hands very full lately and you didn't need the extra grief. Given the type of person you are, you wouldn’t have let it get you down for long. This event just snapped you out of it a little quicker.
As devastating as the fire was, the main thing is that no civilians or fire and rescue workers were hurt or killed. It sounds like some amazing teamwork by all involved. They should be very proud, especially given the horrible weather conditions that night. Their jobs are dangerous and difficult in the best of circumstances. That is, if there can even be a best circumstance in a situation like this. Thank goodness for these brave souls who protect and serve communities everywhere. They are all heroes in my book. With luck, we will never have to call on them for help.
Hopefully everyone will be able to get their businesses back on their feet quickly.
Give us a holler Pepper if we can do anything to help. You have lots of friends you can count on.

[mcdude]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Pepper. Hope things are up and running soon. Also my heart goes out to all the people who have lost their livelihoods as a result of this devastating fire. All the years of hard work that go into building up a business....down the tube in such a short time. My heart especially goes out to the gentleman who ran one of the best postcard booths I have ever seen at the Country Tyme Antiques. This kind gentleman was most knowledgeable in his area of expertise and very willing to share this with others....I was only one beneficiary. (Many of the postcards on this site came from his booth.) So while these cards were only material goods, they represented a passion for him, a livelihood that resulted from years of collecting and a substantial financial commitment. God speed! I hope you are back on your feet soon.

[SIKSUKR]

The real sad part for the antique shop is the inventory he lost cannot be replaced unlike some of the other businesses.Those items are gone forever.Fires are a devastating thing but are much worse if lives are lost.So glad everyone is ok.
Thanks soo much to you McDude for aquiring the many nostalgic items you have and for sharing them with us.Remarkable job I feel.
Ok now,everybody in the area should be going to eat at Peppers when she is back to normal to offset her downtime right?If I lived a little closer I'd head there this week for some lunch.Hope Pepper is back in shipshape ASAP.Good luck! SS

[Just Sold]

Pepper I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune. My fathers business had frozen pipes on more than one occaision so I know what a mess it can be. With all that you have been dealing with lately it does add insult to injury but I know you will pull thru. You the type of person who will not anything get your down for long. If there is anything I can do do not hesitate to ask.


For all the business owners who lost their businesses in Belmont my heart goes out to them. Material possessions can be replaced with the exception of those irreplaceable antiques and post cards. I hope that they can reopen their businesses as soon as possible in new locations.

I applaud the emergency personel who responded to the fire for preventing it from speading to any more busineses. I would guess that many of the firefighters were volunteers which in it self is something special that they do for everyone in a community. Everyone should thank them as much as the full time firefighters and police who also serve the community and surrounding towns.

[Pepper]

I'm still just heartbroken for all those whose businesses suffered such a devastating loss. I did read today about a Good Samaritan! Apparently Heidi Noyes and her husband Mark Bourgoise (sp?) returned to her dance studio after learning of the extent of the fire - and offered the use of the building to the emergency crews as a command center! How generous, and how brave! Kudos to Heidi and Mark for their community spirit! :cool:

On another note - I'm up and running full speed ahead. For those of you who don't know me, that's Mach 4! Many many many thanks to the wonderful staff at Don Morin and Associates, who worked tirelessly with me until 10:30 last night, insuring that I could open up this morning. I am so blessed!

Thanks so much for all your warm thoughts! The kindness of the people on these boards knows no boundaries! Can you feel the :love: ? I can!

[Pepper]

See today's Citizen article:

http://www.citizen.com/January2005/01.27.05/news/laconia_01.27.05b.asp

There are several ways to lend a hand and help these members of our community get back on their feet. I hope lots of forum members will lend their support to these families!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thanks Pepper! I have added this event to the calendar. Please let me know if there are any changes.
Keep me posted on any details about the benefit dinner. Thanks!

An account has been set up at the Pemi Bank to collect donations for the Dennings. Checks can be made out to Egg-cellent Friends Benefit Breakfast Fire Relief Fund and can be dropped off at any of the ten Pemi Bank branches or any of the ten Berlin City Bank offices.

[Seaplane Pilot]

Does anyone know where the closest Pemi Bank is around Laconia or Gilford? I'll be dropping a check off if I can find the branch. Thanks for the help.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

There's one in front of the Belknap Mall (accross from Bunkin Donuts).

[glennsteely]

I too have purchased postcards there while on vacation, we also have a bookshelf that I think came from there....my father bought. Can you give me a mailing address for the bank that has the trust, all the other info I need to send a donation is already in the thread....Thanks.

Yes, the Firefighters and emergency personel are true heros in my book also, from all over the world. We are in the process of having a petition signed for a boy who lost his father in the 9-11 aftermath, a Firefighter from New York. Any one interested in participating, please let me know. It is to have 9-11 dedicated as a national holiday in memory of all who lost their lives that dreadful day.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

The address for the branch in Laconia is:
Pemi Bank
400 South Main Street
Laconia, NH 03246-3722

[glennsteely]

Thanks for the info P.B.R. I will show my support today....

[mcdude]

An auction is planned for tomorrow evening at the Winnipesaukee Expo Center in Lakeport to aid the businesses burnt out in this fire.
Click for more Information (http://www4.citizen.com/February2005/02.03.05/news/belmont_020305a.asp)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thanks for the information McDude.
I hope it is a huge success!
Benefit Auction for Belmont Mall Fire Victims (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=488)

[mr1drfl]

How can people operate a bussiness without insurance? It's there own stupidity! Commercial insurance for a place like the egg-celant restaurant would have cost no more than $3000.00 a year. I have seen it time, and time again, business burns down, no insurance, lets all kick in a few bucks to get them back on their feet. I think not! And you want to know what the kicker is? Not all, but alot of the business operators have all the toys, boats. fancy cars, snowmobiles, motorcycles etc. etc. and no commercial insurance!
26 years I have owned and operated a bussiness, never once did I go without insurance. I remember one particularliy bad year, that I had sell my wifes car to pay the insurance premium. It's part of doing business.

" A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from others mistakes"

[upthesaukee]

Given the litigious nature of our society and the high cost of liability insurance for some businesses like restaurants, it is conceivable and unfortunate that they did not or could not afford to have property insurance for their equipment and business property and have liability insurance as well. Being in a tenant sitution, they did not own the building, only rented space, so they had no need for property insurance on the building. Only the owners would normally have to worry about the structure.

Of course, the way insurance started out was by many people kicking in a few bucks (pounds and shillings actually) to pay out if something was lost and damaged. It was spreading out the losses of a few and have them covered by many. In those days, it was also common for friends, neighbors, and fellow towns people to pitch in and help to rebuild in case of a fire, to help recreate furniture, get dishes, get the businesses back in business. Seems like maybe this is what has happened here, and it is certainly, from my point of view, a nice trip into the past.

Just my humble opinion...You may disagree...I just figure these folks are happy to have the good friends and neighbors.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Even if these businesses were insured, it isn’t likely that it would cover all that was lost.

[Pepper]

OK, everybody. I'm counting on you folks to help us . On Saturday morning, I along with about 20 other adults, and 100 high school studens, will be dishing up a bonafide feast of a breakfast, and I sure hope to see a lot of forum regulars there! Here's all the details:

When: This Saturday from 8:00AM till we run out of food.

Where: Laconia High School Cafeteria

Why: To benefit the Denning Family who operated the very popular Egg-cellent Restaurant which burned in the Major Brands Plaza Fire.

This event has been spearheaded by a small group of teenagers who attend LHS with the Denning's children. All the food and beverage products have been donated by Sysco Foods, McDonalds, C.S.Woods, Oakhurst Dairy, Irving, Pepsi, Walter's Market, Vista Foods, Hannaford, Shaws and even Walmart! Lakes Region Linen has donated Linen Tableclothes, and "Your Neighborhood Florist" is providing floral centerpieces. The High School has generously offered the use of their kitchen and cafeteria, and the Director of the Culinary Arts Program is also going to be doing some of the cooking in the Tech Center's kitchen as well!

Many area residents and business owners are coming together to help these students, and now all we need is you.

The cost of entry is a donation - minimum of $5.00. We'll feed you eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries, toast and pancakes, coffee, orange juice and milk. There will also be a Silent Auction of items donated by various local businesses and individuals.

We're very well aware that what we raise that day will be nowhere near enough to get them back in business, but it's a start. Plus, this is a great opportunity for all of us to show these High School students that we are indeed a COMMUNITY, and as such we will all rally together in times of need.

So, I hope to see many of you there and I hope you'll all spread the word as well. If you're planning on attending the sled dog races, why not stop by the High School first, for a great hearty breakfast, for a great cause. Waddaya say?????

[glennsteely]

there are several names on the forum that are always willing to lend a hand......showing the kids that you are a community? That kind of thing is still bred into you folks up there......I just cant see anybody doing anything (besides watching the fire) down here to help. If one of the good kids that started organizing this event lived in NJ and tried this, they would be an instant target for the others.......I am so glad to see this spirit still exists somewhere, and where else but New Hampshire? I cant wait to meet some of you folks this summer, face to face, for you people truly are a dying breed, and a breath of the freshest air south of Mt. Washington's peak. Good luck with the feast, if I were there, I would eat you out of house and home......making a donation, of course.

Does anyone know how the Pemi Bank donations went? I am curious to know.

To all of you on the forum and anyone in need, May God Bless You All......

[mcdude]

Here's an article from New England's Auction and Antique magazine about the devastating losses suffered by the dealers at Country Tyme Antiques.
Click here for article (http://www.thegavel.net/ctburn.html)

[Pepper]

After reading that extremely well-written article, my heart is broken all over again. Thanks for sharing it, McDude. My prayers are with all those affected by that devastating fire.

On a happier note, the Egg-Cellent Friends Benefit Breakfast was a fabulous success, and a goodly sum was raised through donations at the door, T-shirt sales, and the silent auction. The Dennings were completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from this community! Thank you to all who helped us put this benefit together, and to all those who supported us that day!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

According to Unravel The Gavel (http://www.thegavel.net/), (Page 11A, Volume 16, Numer 9.)
Country Tyme Antiques & Collectables is back having weekly shows at the Shalimar Resort. (http://www.shalimar-resort.com/)
(Dealers are wanted.)

Weekly shows at the Shalimar Resort
Sunday's beginning October 9th
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

[Zee]

Does anyone know if Studio Lighting opened another shop anywhere else? They had a nice selection of Tiffany-style lighting.