Several businesses in the Penticton Cannery Trade Centre are rallying together for their neighbours by holding a fundraiser for those impacted by smoke and water damage from a fire about 1 a.m. on June 25
Wendy Goudie, from Get Bent Yoga and Dance, and Fergy Foster from the Nest and Nectar are hosting a fundraising event Wed., 7 p.m., July 4 at the Nest and Nectar.
“Both our business were lucky and unaffected, but we are all close in here, we have to do something” Foster stated in a press release.
Over the last week, Goudie spoke with businesses in the 75-plus-year-old building to get an idea of the damage.
“It’s more that deductibles, which can be pretty high as it is. It’s lost business for being closed for a week, it refunding people for products ready to be picked up that were already paid for, there’s more to it. The cost of something like this can be very hard on small businesses,” she stated.
Related: Penticton Fire Department called out for early morning fire at the Cannery Trade Centre
The fire, which is believed to have started outside and spread through the soffit into the attic, was contained quickly by Penticton Fire Fighters. The sprinkler system is credited with doing a lot of the initial work.
Jill Bateman the property manager for the building said insurance and restoration companies were handling things very professionally, “…Claimspro, Capri Insurance and ABK Restorations, who all responded in the middle of the night and literally worked a miracle. We still have a long road ahead of us to get back to normal. Luckily, our tenants are incredibly understanding. They are a group of brave, creative business owners who believe we are all in this together, even if they weren’t directly affected by the fire,” she stated.
The fundraiser will include Get Bent dancers who will perform while the crew from The Nest and Nectar offers up a build your own taco bar. There will also be gift baskets for door prizes and the Nest and Nectar will have fresh made pies to buy. All proceeds will be divided up based on the percentage of the overall monetary loss between all affected businesses.
Get Bent and the Nest and Nectar are both accepting and holding funds until the after event, when they will see that each business receives their fair portion.
“This is what it’s all about. We have to help each other, we are all in this together,” Goudie stated.
“Absolutely, we’re a family,” added Foster,.