BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- As business owners attempt to recover from the fire that broke out at 55 Washington St. in late January, members of the Bloomfield Township Council and the Bloomfield Center Alliance are asking members of the public to pitch in at a fundraiser this Wednesday, February 5th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Essex Junction, 90 Washington St, Bloomfield.
The January 21 fire made the building structurally unstable. The tenants, Roxy’s Florist, Heavenly Bites and Heavenly Flavors, Salvatore T. Alfano, PA, Fusella Counselors at Law, Kolby’s Place Barber Shop, Winfield Security and Bloomfield Center Alliance will not be able to reestablish their businesses in the structure for a yet-to-be-determined time, as the building will need to be thoroughly repaired or demolished.
“Many of the businesses affected by the fire last month, including Roxy’s Florist, are Bloomfield landmarks, and thousands of residents have fond memories of these stores, and the shop owners,” said Mayor Michael Venezia. “I invite members of the public to join us at Essex Junction to get to know our local business owners, and pitch in as they begin to plan for the future.”
“Though the landlord, and the business owners affected by the fire are partially protected by insurance, the process of either repairing the building, rebuilding it, and/or relocating the businesses can be arduous, and during this time, business activity is unfortunately put on hold,” said Councilwoman Dr. Wartyna Davis. “The Mayor, myself, and Bloomfield Center Alliance Executive Director Ollyn Lettman, are proud to sponsor an event supporting downtown businesses’ recovery efforts, and we encourage all residents to attend this Wednesday.”
Wednesday’s event has a suggested donation of $25. Checks can be made payable to BCA Disaster Relief Fund.
