Nearly 18 Months After Devastating Fire, Roy's Furniture Returns To Lincoln Park
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A popular furniture store in Lincoln Park has reopened, nearly a year-and-a-half after a fire destroyed the building.
WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports the family-owned business at 2455 N. Sheffield Av. was reduced to rubble in an extra-alarm blaze in May 2012.
"We all just ran, because the smoke was coming, and as we were running out of the building, the windows started to explode, and we couldn't believe how fast the building went up," said general manager Stacy Flood, who is Roy's niece. "Everything was flammable, so it didn't take long for it to become a blazing inferno."
The fire was blamed on a cracked gas pipe. The blaze destroyed everything inside, but the owners quickly vowed to rebuild, after decades of serving the community.
A brand new building opened last week at the site of the old store.
"It's very emotional for us. It's been a very long year-and-a-half," she said. "The support from the community, and our customers, has been amazing; and so we were so excited to reopen, and show them what we've done with the place."
Despite the newness, the store still matches the style of Lincoln Park.
"We did try to keep some of the original charm of the old building," Flood said. "Lots of windows, lots of sunlight makes the furniture look amazing."
Flood said the story of the store's rebirth is also about the family saying "Hello again," after being away much too long.
"The people in this neighborhood know us, and they've known our family for a long time, and they've really become a part of it," she said. "We love it"
A reopening celebration this weekend will include special deals on furniture, food, and prizes.
