Less than a week after fire destroyed Stradwicks Carpet One on Brule Street, the business is opening in a new temporary location.
“A wonderful gentleman reached out to tell us that he had an empty warehouse at 2022 Main West,” says Carmen van Empel, sales manager. “It has a huge space for materials to come in and that’s already started. We’re already bringing in things for people that we had promised and we’re actually on jobs today.”
She says they’re hopeful the store front will be open on Monday, but that could change.
“It’s a challenge, but we’re getting there,” van Empel says. “People are reaching out to us which is great. If anyone has not heard from us, please feel free to reach out to the Stradwicks number and one of us will answer and try to help them through.”
She says the outpouring of support from the community has been unbelievable since the fire last Tuesday.
“On Wednesday I had 360 texts by 2 pm, all of them offering anything they can do, be it just a kind word or asking what they can do to help,” van Empel says. “We did a little deed for Maple View Public School, we provided them with mats for them to do some yoga. We got a beautiful text with all these children in downward dog on these mats saying that a little piece of Stradwicks stays with them forever. That one hit the heart strings pretty hard.”
She also says the long-term plan is to rebuild on the former site.
“That land is the James family’s, and it was pretty much the first words out of Gary’s mouth that night, don’t worry, you all have jobs, we’re going to rebuild,” van Empel says.
She says Stradwicks, which specializes in carpet, luxury vinyl plank and hardwood flooring, employs about 25-30 people.
That includes installers and in-house staff.
