The counting of inventory has begun at Ben’s Five and Dime in the first stage of a cleanup and restoration process that could take many months to accomplish.
The popular variety store and mainstay of Perry’s downtown retail district at 1221 Second St. was one of three businesses damaged last week in a fire that started at Perry Floral and Gifts at 1215 Second St. Bacon Jewelers at 1213 Second St. was also damaged by smoke.
Jan and Jay Pattee said the scale of their loss has taken time to sink in. They said this setback has shaken them, but they “will work to ensure that ‘our little corner’ of uptown Perry, Iowa,” will soon reopen.
“It’s just sad to think how many people your age came when they were little kids,” said Jan Pattee, as her voice choked with tears Tuesday morning.
The longtime Perry merchants released a statement Tuesday for the public:
In the early hours of March 21 as we watched smoke pour from the roof of an adjoining business — never in our wildest imaginings did we fathom the impact it would have on our beautiful Ben’s Five and Dime.
As the sun rose and the smoke settled, the reality of the damage shook Jay and I to the core. Now, five days later, we are still reeling in disbelief.
The entire inventory of Ben’s Five and Dime is now being counted, after which time, upon completion all inventory will be removed from the building.
Going forward, as has always been our passion and goal, we will work to ensure that “our little corner” of uptown Perry, Iowa, will remain a bright spot in the lives of all.
A big thank you and warm embrace to all we have had the privilege to serve in the Perry area, surrounding communities and guest customers from the entire U.S. and the world.
All the personal well wishes and offers of help have deeply touched us. A million thanks.
–Jan and Jay
Trish Roberts, owner of Perry Floral and Gift, and Eddie Bacon, whose family has owned and operated Bacon Jewelers for many years, were also in their shops Tuesday, assessing their circumstances and looking forward.
“We can’t do anything until the insurance is done,” Bacon said.
Roberts released a statement Tuesday afternoon about the situation at Perry Floral and Gifts:
I would like to thank the Perry Volunteer Fire Department as well as everyone who has called, stopped me on the street and otherwise reached out to show their support after last week’s fire.
All the well wishes — from our customers, the chalk art from the kids at St. Pats and the food that people brought us — are very much appreciated. Those gestures are things that truly show what small towns are all about and what a great community Perry is!
There appears to be little structural damage from the fire, but the smoke damage was quite extensive. The recovery process will take time. Being just a few days away from having our remodel completed and bringing that old storefront back to life makes it even more difficult.
Perry Floral will be temporarily closed as we move through the process with the insurance companies involved. I’m working as hard and quickly as I can to get Perry Floral up and operational at 100 percent again.
There has been speculation and many theories about the cause of the fire. At this time, however, there has been no determination as to what caused the fire.
–Trish Roberts
