(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
December 03, 2013 - 1:03 PM
KAMLOOPS - A non-profit store that caught fire two and a half months ago reopened yesterday.
Thrift City, a store run by the New Life Mission, caught fire on Sept. 23. It closed down to repair interior and exterior damages.
"(It was) way longer than we ever thought," said Thrift City store manager Regan Wilson, who initially anticipated about a one-month closure.
He said roadblocks came from unexpected repair issues and from dealing with insurance.
However, Wilson isn't dwelling, he's just happy to be open again.
"We managed to get fairly well-stocked," he said, noting insurance doesn't cover donated items.
He is grateful for kindness that poured in during the hard time. Combined, community members and companies donated paint and painting services, garbage removal, mirrors, a sink, cabinets, countertops, new stock, time for cleaning and restoration, and monetary donations.
"There's been a lot of help from the community," Wilson said.
A thank-you sign has been posted in the front window. Donations in the alley behind the store caught fire and spread to the store. With no eyewitnesses, it remains unclear whether it was an accident or arson.
To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace
News from © iNFOnews, 2013