One Week Later

A week ago today things changed. Our lovely store sustained damage, our friends & merchant neighbors sustained far greater damage.

So where are we today?

I haven't updated much, because there hasn't been a lot to update. We really had to wait for the investigations to be completed for us to make much progress. The ATF ruled that the cause of the fire was accidental, due to several things converging. They believe it began by a natural gas water heater in a small enclosure in the music box store in the mall.

We have been able to get in the store for brief periods to get computer, files & irreplaceable items out. The site has now been released by investigative authorities to the reconstruction guys. We expect a professional team to go in and do clean up.

We've got a small space behind the store near the post office as a staging area to bring what we can out of the store and to take delivery on new inventory.

Thanks again so much for all who have offered prayer, love and care for us. We've had dozens and dozens who have offered to help, and have had no way to accept help until now. We could use someone to just sweep and spiff up our staging area before we move stuff in if anyone has some time to do that. Its empty and pretty small. Call me or send an email if you can help.

Thanks again to everyone (I'll have to say that a lot; hope you don't get tired of hearing it). I'll post again soon!

Well. Where to begin?

At the beginning.
At about 6:45 Monday morning I got a call saying there was a fire at the Park Theatre Mall. I jumped up and threw on some clothes, not knowing if there was a fire in a trash can or something much bigger.

It was much bigger.

When I got there, there was smoke billowing out of the upper windows and around the edge of the roof. Within an a hour, flames were 60 feet in the air. The Park Theatre Mall is destroyed. My little shop shares a common cinderblock wall with the mall. Rocky Mountain Memories didn't burn down, but sustained significant water & smoke damage.

So for the time being our doors are closed. Its very early; we are still talking to our insurance representatives and the ATF is doing an investigation. As soon as I have some idea what our near future holds, I'll update here.

Today my biggest fear is that I won't remember every single person who has contacted me and expressed love and support and have offered prayer for us. I thank you all so very much. I can't tell you how much it means to me. As I read the all the emails, answer phone calls (or return voicemails!) I know that I am a rich woman. Its true: Love never fails. Believe it!

I'll be putting up some pictures tonight and in the coming days. Thanks and bless you.

cheryl