He gives beauty for ashes…
It was a terrible way to wake up on a Sunday morning—first, to the smell of smoke coming from downtown, then getting a text message that All About Art was on fire. I jumped out of bed, threw on clothes, and drove the four blocks while praying aloud. Mostly, it was just, “Please, God—let everyone be okay.”
When I arrived at 7:15am, the Enterprise Fire Department had already been fighting the blaze for an hour, and I had hopes they could keep it from breaking through our ceiling. Sadly, these wonderful historical buildings are often like matchsticks waiting to combust—even with all fire code precautions in place. Our corner didn’t stand a chance.
My fellow business owners gathered around to hug and hold our three families as we watched years of dreams go up in smoke. Hundreds of friends, neighbors, and strangers turned out to see what could be done to help. While the EFD worked to keep the fire from spreading down South Main, a brigade of us moved historical books and files out of the Pea River Historical Society and across the street to safety. Those items are now locked up in City Hall until water and smoke damage can be dealt with. Thankfully, no human lives were lost, which was an answer to my initial prayers. Only Sheldon the fish from the She Shed perished in the blaze (rest in peace, Sheldon).
The outpouring of love and support from all over Enterprise (and the Wiregrass) has been simply incredible. I got hundreds of text messages and emails, plus a couple dozen phone calls from folks wanting to know how they could help all of us. Entire churches prayed for us this morning. Pastors came out to pray with us right in the middle of Main Street. We are beyond thankful for this amazing community we live in and love so much.
Until the AL state Fire Marshal does a full investigation, along with our local engineers and fire chief, we won’t know what (if anything) can be salvaged. We do have an inkling of hope for the 100-year-old counter. The ceiling fell in, but it only rests against the front of the counter. The countertop looks okay through the window from what we could see and what the EFD showed us in their photos. They said not to hold our breath, but they will try to get whatever they can out of the building before the interior has to be demolished. They are holding out hope the exterior walls can be kept so the historical footprint will be preserved.
Please pray for the Lacey and Goodson families, who own All About Art and the She Shed. They have been the most wonderful landlords to us and have made us feel right at home on our little corner of Main Street. We know they will not give up, and neither will we. Coffee Corner will go into hibernation for a season, but we are looking at our options and praying about our next steps. We all want to build back and serve you again. It has been our great joy and privilege, and we are so blessed to know all of you. Thank you so much.
“...to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.”
