Extensive smoke damage from a fire that started in a used clothing store in Charlottetown will keep a few businesses closed for at least a couple weeks.
Barry Balderston, who owns the building that houses his own toy and games store called Owls Hollow as well as three other tenants, says Tuesday's fire caused a great deal of damage.
He believes most of the inventory in Owls Hollow will need to be replaced, adding the store may be able to re-open in about three weeks or so.
The building, located at 95 Capital Drive, has about 18,000 square feet of rentable space.
One of the building's occupants, The Arthritis Society's office, will be closed until further notice due to the fire. The public is encouraged to contact The Nova Scotia Division office for assistance at 902-429-7025 or email Sarah Drew at sdrewarthritis.ca.
The Philippine, African and South Asian Grocery store located in the building is also closed indefinitely.
Nadine Ramsay told The Guardian Friday all of her stock in Repeats Quality Used Family Clothing was destroyed in the fire. She pegs the loss of clothing and theatrical and Halloween costumes at up to $200,000.
Insurance is not expected to come close to fully covering her loss, yet she is hopeful and determined to get her 18-year-old store back in business.
"I haven't thrown in the towel yet,'' she says.
Balderston says he is insured for the contents of Owls Hollow as well as for the building, which he does not believe experienced any notable structural damage.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Balderston believes the fire began in the laundry room of the clothing store.
No one was hurt but three people needed to flee Repeats after unsuccessful attempts were made to put out the fire with extinguishers.
