Massive roof leak closes new Conneaut business

June 27--CONNEAUT -- Only a few months after opening its doors, the W.E. Dalton Gallery in downtown Conneaut is closed, thanks to a roof leak that destroyed the store's ceiling and damaged merchandise.

William and Connie Dalton, who launched the gift shop/gallery in mid-November, discovered the damage Wednesday morning when they arrived to start the business day. "We knew there was a problem when we saw the front windows were fogged up," William Dalton said Thursday morning.

The scene inside was horrible: Two large sections of ceiling tile were already on the floor and water was running down the north wall of the store, Dalton said. Racks of greeting cards were already ruined. The couple had to rush to salvage as much merchandise as possible before conditions worsened.

"We were able to save a lot," he said.

The store sells paintings, photographs and other artwork, as well as jewelry and other gift items.

As the day went on, ceiling tiles in other sections of the ceiling came crashing down to the carpet, Dalton said. He estimates upwards of $20,000 worth of merchandise was damaged or destroyed by the roof leak. Contents are insured, Dalton said.

"(The insurance adjuster) estimated 20 gallons of water an hour came into the store," he said.

Word of the disaster quickly spread and well-wishers expressed concern. "A lot of people called, all offering to help," Dalton said.

A retired teacher and well-known artist, Dalton opened the store last fall because he sensed the community would back the effort. The 221 Main St., location was chosen to provide a boost to Conneaut's downtown district. Right now, the Gallery's future is up in the air, he said.

"I would like to (reopen)," Dalton said. "Everyone has been so supportive and positive about what we have done here."

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