Fundraising has begun for seven businesses destroyed in the Gastown fire

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The GoFundMe campaign was created to help seven companies destroyed by a hotel fire in Gastown on Monday and three companies that couldn’t open due to the risk of a burnt building collapsing.

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“Seven companies lost everything overnight. We are concerned about their ability to relocate and continue their livelihoods. This is also their involvement, as many owners and operators are involved. It’s the only source of income, “said Wally Wargolet, executive director of the Gastown Business Improvement Association, which launched the fundraiser.

“I felt it was right because this is a community that takes care of the members.”

The office was located on the ground floor of a large Winters Hotel, on Abbott and Cordoba streets, with low-rent public housing on the upper floors. A fire in a residential room on Monday morning caused enough damage to demolish a hotel with a history of 115 years.

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The businesses that need to find a new place are: GowonCafe, Bruce Eyewear, Lemongrass House, Roldorf & Co,
Nika Fashion and Design, The Flying Pig, Australian Boot Co. Temporarily closed businesses are Barber and Co., Jules Bistro and Kitchen Infinity Atelier.

The money donated to fundraising helps entrepreneurs who have lost their main source of income with immediate costs, such as paying unemployed employees and paying large insurance deductions.

“I call it almost a gap fund, a bridge fund, and that’s certainly what we all want to help them move from today’s location to Gastown hopefully,” Wargolet said. Said.

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Wargolet contacted city halls, state governments, federal governments, and organizations that provide advice to businesses to see what kind of assistance is available to assist with relocation and other next steps. .. It was a moving week for the owner.

“They are trying to be resilient, but have you had a lot of tears and long conversations about’what’s next’? I think there is a shock that we have to deal with this situation now. So it was really difficult, “he said.

Many Gastown streets are still closed as the crew is dealing with the aftermath of the fire, but Wargolet emphasizes that the rest of the local businesses are open and people are still coming to the area. Encouraged to shop. “Gastown is still open,” he said.

Meanwhile, 71 people who lived above the store were offered alternative housing at a hotel near Columbia Street, owned by the Atila Women’s Resources Association. Most people are currently staying in temporary shelters, but they can start moving to new rooms next week.

Donations to tenants who have lost all of their personal property can be dropped off at Bette’s Boutique, a free drop-in store operated by Atira on 305 Main Street.

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lculbert@postmedia.com