Tailor, cobbler offered temporary space in Natick hardware store

Tag : Building Hardware

Two businesses from the burned building on Pond Street will havespace set aside for them in Hometown Paint and Hardware, also ownedby the landlords of the fire-struck building.
Fici's Tailor Shop and Cobbler Shop West will use space in thestore around the corner from the fire so they can continue theirbusiness, said Stephen Weinstein, co-owner of the hardware storeand both buildings.
"We wanted to offer space to whoever we could," Weinsteinsaid. "We couldn't fit a laundry mat or variety store."
By getting them set up nearby, Weinstein hopes the two business cancontinue with as little interruption as possible.
"We offered some limited space to allow them keep theircustomer base," Weinstein said. "A customer base takesyears to create."
Weinstein and partner Helene Taylor also started a relief fund atMiddlesex Savings Bank, which will be split among the owners of thefive businesses displaced by the blaze.
The bank could not release information on how much has beencollected in the Pond Street Shops Fund, but a bank official saiddonations have been made.
On Wednesday, Weinstein appeared before the Planning Board to getpermission to allow the two businesses to set up, and to put signson the shop.
"I want signage for the businesses to put that in mywindow," Weinstein said. "We are restricted from puttingmore signs on the wall. You can only have one per business."
Community Development Director Patrick Reffett said there is nozoning bylaw preventing the two businesses from operating in thehardware store.
"The two businesses are already retail, which is accommodatedin a hardware store," Reffett said. "It is the same use,it is not like something new being created."
Weinstein also wants to place a sign in front of the remains of thebuilding on Pond Street letting people know the businesses will beback.
"(The Planning Board) said I needed a permit to put a signlisting all five businesses and their phone numbers, saying theyare still around and are coming back and they still exist,"Weinstein said.
Operating businesses in Natick is nothing new for Weinstein, whoran a grocery store for almost 20 years. Just this March, he andTaylor purchased the old Town Paint and Supply, and the otherbuilding.
"We are new," Weinstein said. "The depressing thingis things were starting to smooth out and then this happened."
Getting the building on Pond Street rebuilt will be a priority,Weinstein said, but right now he does not have access.
"I haven't been allowed near the place," Weinstein said."The idea is to find out what is the next step. I have neverhad that experience.
"We are anxious to clean it up and get whoever available andinterested back on their feet."
Fire Chief James Sheridan said the state Fire Marshal's preliminarycause is an electrical malfunction, but others continue to look atthe site.
"The insurance company, their fire investigators are stillactively investigating the cause," Sheridan said.
No one is being allowed in the building, yet, Sheridan said. Peoplewho had items at one of the stores are not likely to recover theitems intact, Sheridan said, because the fire damage was extensive.
"People who lost items in the fire are instructed to contacttheir own insurance company to seek to recover the cost of thoseitems," Sheridan said.
(Charlie Breitrose can be reached at 508-626-3964 orcbreitro@cnc.com.)