Store Damaged in Downtown Fire Set to Reopen Next Week

After a June 10 fire completely gutted Lions & Tigers & Beers Sports Club, business owner Mary Hall found out that her neighboring store, Country Enchantments, had suffered severe smoke damage from the blaze.

Hall was forced to temporarily close her women's clothing store, which she has owned for 11 years, and is located two doors down from LTB's. She said all merchandise and fixtures inside were destroyed by smoke, and the walls, ceiling and floor were badly damaged, as well.

“It was smokified,” she said of the building after the fire. “The whole store has literally been replaced.”

Following five months of extensive repair work, which Hall said was covered by her insurance company, she plans to reopen her business on Monday.

A grand opening, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony, also is scheduled and will take place Nov. 16, Hall said.

Aside from Country Enchantments, Bella Donna’s, Riverside Yarn Gallery and all had to close, as well, due to fire-related damage.

Natalie Rankine, director of Wyandotte's Downtown Development Authority, said the owners of Bella Donna’s are aiming to reopen before the end of 2012. Riverside Yarn Gallery, however, is permanently closed, Rankine said.