BESSEMER, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A family-owned business that’s become a fixture in Bessemer is determined to re-open by Christmas after a fire damaged its storefront.
On July 19, a fire broke out inside a building on 2nd Avenue North in Bessemer. Two doors down, United Textiles also suffered smoke and water damage following the blaze.
“I cannot imagine not having a United Textiles on 2nd Avenue,” Co-owner Steve McDonough said. “We’ve been here for 40 years.”
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Founded by Steve’s parents in 1984, Steve took over the home décor business with his wife Glennis in 1995. Glennis says she gets several calls daily from loyal customers asking when they plan to re-open for business.
“You cannot just say ‘Ok, I’m done,’ so here we go on a journey,” she remarked. “We’ve got a salvor that’s probably going to take [some stuff], we just don’t want to sell it.”
The McDonoughs plan to re-open their business in a building across the street from the United Textiles showroom before the end of the year. Clean-up and restoration of the original building will last well into 2025.