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SHAWNEE, Okla. —
Heavy equipment operators are removing piles of charred rubble and debris from the former Loco’s antique shop at 107 E. Main.
Fire destroyed the downtown business Aug. 18. Some demolition work for safety purposes was done and the area was sealed in the days following the blaze, but now work is commencing to remove all the debris, which will allow repair work to be done to the walls of adjacent businesses.
The overnight blaze last summer destroyed the antique and collectibles store while the businesses on each side, Pott County Bookstore to the east and Sense of Charm to the west, sustained smoke, water and other damage.
Pott. County bookstore is closed but continues to service customers with phone and online sales, while Sense of Charm reopened briefly, but then closed again for further roof repairs and remains closed for now.
“I’m real excited it’s finally getting cleaned up,” said Loco’s Owner Lori West, adding she’s glad the two adjacent businesses will able to get wall repairs done for their shops.
West owned the Loco’s property but said her insurance had lapsed so the loss wasn’t covered. She’s been running a small portion of her business out of her barn and through online E-bay sales under Loco’s Needful Things, but she isn’t quite sure what the future holds or whether she can rebuild.
“I’m not entirely sure what the long-term goal is for the property,” she said. “I believe when one door closes, God opens a window somewhere.”
West said the history of the building and its contents of antiques, collectibles and even personal belongings were a huge loss of history. Because she still loves hunting down antiques and other items, she believes that in the future, there could be another Loco’s business, she’s just not sure where.
Pam Young, owner of Sense of Charm, worked hard to clean and restock her gift shop business to reopen in September, but the grand reopening lasted just a few weeks before the business closed again in October for more repairs.
“We hope to reopen once the burnt out building is removed and we can make the necessary repairs to the east wall of our building,” Young said. “The roof has been replaced and we are excited about the rubble getting removed.”
Watch for updates.
Heavy equipment operators are removing piles of charred rubble and debris from the former Loco’s antique shop at 107 E. Main.
Fire destroyed the downtown business Aug. 18. Some demolition work for safety purposes was done and the area was sealed in the days following the blaze, but now work is commencing to remove all the debris, which will allow repair work to be done to the walls of adjacent businesses.
The overnight blaze last summer destroyed the antique and collectibles store while the businesses on each side, Pott County Bookstore to the east and Sense of Charm to the west, sustained smoke, water and other damage.
Pott. County bookstore is closed but continues to service customers with phone and online sales, while Sense of Charm reopened briefly, but then closed again for further roof repairs and remains closed for now.
“I’m real excited it’s finally getting cleaned up,” said Loco’s Owner Lori West, adding she’s glad the two adjacent businesses will able to get wall repairs done for their shops.
West owned the Loco’s property but said her insurance had lapsed so the loss wasn’t covered. She’s been running a small portion of her business out of her barn and through online E-bay sales under Loco’s Needful Things, but she isn’t quite sure what the future holds or whether she can rebuild.
“I’m not entirely sure what the long-term goal is for the property,” she said. “I believe when one door closes, God opens a window somewhere.”
West said the history of the building and its contents of antiques, collectibles and even personal belongings were a huge loss of history. Because she still loves hunting down antiques and other items, she believes that in the future, there could be another Loco’s business, she’s just not sure where.
Pam Young, owner of Sense of Charm, worked hard to clean and restock her gift shop business to reopen in September, but the grand reopening lasted just a few weeks before the business closed again in October for more repairs.
“We hope to reopen once the burnt out building is removed and we can make the necessary repairs to the east wall of our building,” Young said. “The roof has been replaced and we are excited about the rubble getting removed.”
Watch for updates.
