FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) – Heavy rains and winds ripped the facade from Royal Oaks Antiques the night a tornado touched down in Stephenson County.
On April 14, bricks and wood from a more than 100-year-old building fell onto downtown Freeport’s East Spring Street.
The antique store opened at the location in 2013, near owner Steven Schlamp’s old neighborhood.
“Growing up, I spent a lot of time down there, and he [Steven’s uncle] refinished furniture, sold used furniture, so it’s kind of in the blood,” explained Schlamp.
Following storm damage, Schlamp says the City of Freeport condemned the building — temporarily stopping any chance the business to sell its hundreds, if not thousands, of items. He added the cleanup has been “very slow.”…