General News
11 December, 2024
Amazing support: Exquisit Fashion and Abode Homewares are open for business
Exquisit Fashion and Abode Homewares open for business after fire.
Two Horsham businesses have opened their doors again since the early morning fire on October 9 destroyed one business and severely impacted two others.
Exquisit Fashion and Abode Homewares suffered severe losses but are now open for business again.
Unfortunately, The Farmhouse Providore and Cafe' was destroyed.
Exquisit Fashion owner Shana Miatke and her staff celebrated the business' re-opening on Monday, December 9, in the Horsham Plaza after 12 years in Firebrace Street and two months since it was impacted by the fire.
"It's been two months since the fire forced our closure, so we are happy to open again even though we are in a different place," Ms Miatke said.
"The community is the same beautiful community, and they encouraged us to rebuild and continue our boutique shopping experience in Horsham.
"There were times I considered not opening, but the community's outreach to us helped me decide to do this.
"I also wanted to look after my staff, who have been amazing through this ordeal."
Shana said it had been rough since the fire, but the love and care of family, friends and the community had sustained her.
She praised the support she had received from the Horsham Plaza Management, who she said had been helpful in her move.
"Being so close to Christmas, it has been hard to access stock and fit. But this shop already had a number of fittings, which made it easier," she said.
"Our suppliers have been amazing, too."
Exquisit will trade from the Plaza inside the main door by Bakers Delight for the immediate future.
"The building's owners are still unsure of the future and whether the building will be repaired, so it is too soon to make plans too far ahead," she said.
Exquisit Fashion suffered extensive damage, including losing 100 per cent of its stock during the fire.
Meanwhile, Tania Coutts said she had faced challenging times since the early morning fire impacted her business, Abode Homewares.
"We were closed for almost a month but were fortunate to be able to open again in our original premises on Monday, November 4," she said.
"About a third of our stock was destroyed through smoke damage, so replacing that was stressful this close to Christmas.
"Most of the damage to us came in through the roof and a window that broke during the fire. This let the smoke in, so we lost all textile stock, clothing, and fabric items."
Tania has owned the business for 18 years and has operated from the Firebrace address for 15 years.
"Since the fire, we had the additional challenges of dealing with insurance and builders, so it has been a tough few weeks."
Tania said she was pleased to be up and running again.
"The care and love of our community had always been there, but the challenges of the past two months reminded us how much a part of people's lives we are, and they are to us," she said.
"They have inspired us, and we are so happy to welcome them back to the shop."
Tania and Shana agreed they missed the hub they had created, with Sharon Keating from the Farmhouse Cafe, which was destroyed in the blaze, and they look forward to re-establishing it in the future.
In the meantime, Farmhouse Cafe's customers have been directed to its sister store, Cafe Jas on Roberts Avenue.