As fire raged in an historic building at 22 Main St. in Bradford the evening of April 3, the thick smoke that spewed from the structure made its way to a number of other nearby buildings and businesses.
A building that housed the Fran Charles Shop at 12 Congress St. was one of the businesses that pulled in the smoke, which in turn blanketed all of the clothing within. As a result, business owner Susan Godfrey has decided to run a $10 sale for each of the 2,000 pieces of clothing in the store to clear the small shop out for restoration and new inventory.
On Wednesday, Godfrey opened the 35-year-old business for the sale to a number of longtime, regular customers. The shop will open again to the general public from noon to 6 p.m. today and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Godfrey said she was as surprised as others when her husband, Dr. David Godfrey, called her the evening of the fire to tell her the smoke from the blaze was blowing along an alley near the shop.
“My husband called me when he was walking the dog and said ‘You better get down here, there’s a huge fire and all the smoke is going into the store,’” Godfrey said of the conversation.
She said the smoke was likely drawn into the business by the furnace in the building. The smoke not only filled the shop, but climbed up the stairs to her second-floor office, damaging that as well. A third-floor used for storage was not damaged, however. Godfrey said she called the insurance company the same night of the fire to begin the process of assessing the damage.
She said when the cleaning bill for the inventory rose exorbitantly high, she decided it was time to sell all of it at a loss. Quality clothing, consisting of tops, jeans, pants, jackets, dresses, gowns, coats, sweaters and capes, had originally retailed from $60 to $200. Those who purchase the items are advised to launder them using a mixture of vinegar and an oxidizing soap.
Longtime customer, Fran Runyan, said she was supporting the business because it is “the best shop in town, I never wear anything from here that I don’t get compliments on.”
A part-time, seasonal employee, Patti Prosser, was helping with the sale as were several other former employees and helpers. Prosser said she wasn’t surprised to learn of the smoke damage at the shop because a friend with another downtown business had seen the smoke rolling toward the business.
“I was concerned for Susan because I love it in here,” Prosser said. “It’s not just a place to work or help, it’s a place like home … but as much as you love the clothes and people no one got hurt” or were displaced from their apartments such as occurred with residents at 20 Main St.
Longtime employee Cindy Minich said she was saddened by the event, but noted “it’s just another phase, and we’re coming back and we’re going to be stronger.”
Godfrey said that when the sale is finished Saturday, a restoration crew will come in to clean and paint the business. She will then fill the business with brand new inventory after the work is completed.
“We’re looking at the first full week in May” to reopen, Godfrey said.
