Community helps flea market fire victims

WALNUT CREEK — The owners of the Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market say they have been overwhelmed by an outpouring of community support as they try to rebuild their business that was destroyed by fire six weeks ago.

“Customers, vendors, even businesses in the community have gotten together to help out,” said January Tango, who owns the market with Betty Zimmerman. “People who have lost everything in the fire are still helping out, doing whatever they can. It just goes back to the family aspect we have here.

“It’s been very humbling. People have been bringing meals to people who are cleaning up. That’s what’s keeping us going.”

The market, 1900 state Route 39, will remain closed this year, leaving many to ponder their future while others are doing everything they can to help move forward. Tango and Zimmerman hope to be back in operation in March but they are at a standstill with plans to rebuild because of holdups with their insurance.

Tango says damage estimates and an estimated cost to rebuild will be finalized soon with the insurance company

The fire

The fire ripped through the 55,000-square-foot market in the early morning hours of Aug. 21. About 20 local fire departments responded to the blaze. They were able to keep the flames contained between two firewalls near the center of the building, but other areas suffered smoke and water damage. The State Fire Marshall determined lightning was the cause of the fire.

The market, which opened more than a decade ago, showcased about 50 vendors selling furniture, jewelry, crafts, as well as baked goods, that serves about 170,000 people every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March through December.

Some of those vendors have since taken up shop at the Holmes County Flea Market in Berlin, about six miles down the road.

Jesse Miller, general manager at the Berlin market, said although his business is a competitor with the Amish Country Flea Market in Walnut Creek, those lines blur when a catastrophe such as a fire hits.

“One thing we were able to do to help out some of the vendors generate income, some of our vendors actually gave some of their space so they can operate in here,” he said. “I thought that was a really sweet gesture. Three of the vendors are operating here through the fall with an eye on heading back to the other market when they are ready to open.”

Miller said he has seen an increase in the number of visitors through the Holmes County Flea Market since the fire in August.

Jessica Shahan, a sales rep at Tangent Square, a store selling herbal lotions and balms was displaced by the fire and now operates at the Berlin market.

“It is truly very kind and generous of them to create space for us here,” she said. “Although the other place really feels like home, the people here have been very welcoming and very friendly.”

Tangent Square owner Linda Quinn said it was nice to be able to keep her business running.

“They made space for me to put in a 10-by-10 so I could continue on with my business,” Quinn said. “They’re very helpful. They went out of their way to help me, and I’m very happy they did. It was nice, having a couple girls hired, this enabled them to keep their job and get their hours. It’s a different market, but it’s business as usual.”

Alice Radabaugh of Alice’s Air Plants said she has received some hugs from customers who have found her at her new location in Berlin, peddling her plants, botanicals and teas, lucky bamboo, incense cones and live edge wood.

“Everybody’s been extremely friendly,” she said. “Our customers have found us. The buses come in and many of those ladies have found me.

Monroe and Susie Miller operate Miller’s Quality Crafts, another store that has taken up temporary residence in the Berlin market after spending the past 11 years in Walnut Creek.

“We’ve been fortunate to get a spot there,” Monroe said. ”It’s like we’re starting over, but it’s nice to see some of our old customers shopping over here.”

Miller noted that the fire has really made a dent in their sales, but he appreciates the opportunity to stop the bleeding.

A couple businesses have organized and sent in cleanup crews at the Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market to help keep things moving forward, while others have provided meals for workers.

Chocolate help

Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek has taken things a step further, putting together a limited edition box of chocolates available for sale at each of the Best of Ohio’s Amish Country (BOAC) stores. The box will include two dozen assorted caramels, meltaways, creams, peanut butter cups and clusters.

They are available now at any of the Best of Ohio’s Amish Country stores, which includes Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron, The Amish Door Restaurant, The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, Homestead Furniture and Heini’s Cheese Chalet, as well as at Coblentz Chocolate Co. in Walnut Creek or on line at Coblentzchocolates.com.

The Amish Flea Market is also a member of the Best of Ohio’s Amish Country stores.

Amy Yoder, marketing manager at Coblentz Chocolates, said members of coalition got together and came up with a plan to help offset some of the cleanup and rebuilding costs.

“The candy boxes will be available for $20, with all the proceeds going to help the vendors who suffered losses through the fire,” she said. “Chocolate is a pretty easy sell. It’s an affordable luxury, and this is a fun thing to do for a fundraiser.”

Jason Coblentz, general manager of Coblentz Chocolates, said the Flea Market has been a big part of the community for a long time and is part of the business family.

“In the tight-knit community we have, word gets out of the need, and there is a lot of compassion that happens in the community here,” he said. “We all know how commendable that is. ...The fire was a very unfortunate thing, but people have really come together to help out.”

CREDIT: KEVIN LYNCH