Former Orillia fire chief Ralph Dominelli watched Tuesday as wife Kelly Dominelli's store was destroyed by fire in downtown Orillia.
Kelly Dominelli has operated Kelly's Klothing at 74 Mississaga St. E. for the past 30 years.
"I'm completely devastated," Kelly told OrilliaMatters.
News of the total loss hasn't quite sunk in yet, said Kelly's sister-in-law, Domenica Dominelli.
"It wasn't her business. It was her heart and soul," said Domenica. "It was her. It was her personality. She made people feel comfortable when you went in. She had beautiful clothes. She's been a staple for so long. She had so many customers. It was a beautiful store."
Kelly's Klothing had a lot of customers from Orillia, but many from Toronto and all over Ontario that kept coming back, she explained.
"She really enjoyed her store and the people. It's very sad."
Domenica said Kelly had lots of inventory in her small store and all her spring clothes on order. Kelly has business insurance and has contacted them, she added.
Dr. Comics at 79 Mississaga St. E. was also destroyed by fire and its owner posted on social media that the shop will not reopen, but he told OrilliaMatters earlier today he plans to return.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Three Birds Salon owner Kendra Vanderwerf, whose shop at 7 Peter St. S. was also destroyed. At the time of this writing, $2,035 was raised with a $4,000 goal.
“To say it's devastating is an understatement. That was my baby. It's gone,” owner Kendra Vanderwerf said in a video posted to social media. “It will never be the same, but that is going to have to be OK and I'm going to have to be OK with that … but we're going to rise from the ashes, and we're going to be bigger and we're going to be better.”
In her video, Vanderwerf said numerous salons have reached out and offered space for Three Birds Salon, and she said, "We will be at a new location the minute we get some tools," adding residents can support the business by voting for it in the Reader's Choice awards or purchasing tickets for its upcoming drag show at Sidelines Sports Bar on Feb. 15.
Sylvia Tesori is heartbroken, too, as she has lost 10 years of her paintings along with her Three Crows Speak Studio business due to the fire.
Originally an art gallery, opening in 2017, Tesori turned it into a metaphysical shop selling crystals, homemade soaps, jewelry and art as well as offering workshops.
"My paintings. Ten years worth of work are up in smoke and nothing can replace them. I'm totally devastated," she said.
"At this point I am still too stunned to even think about what's next," she said.
Provenance Wine Bar was not damaged by fire, but sustained water damage, said Deron Johnston, executive director of the Downtown Orillia BIA.
Johnston's been in several meetings with Orillia city staff and the manager of the Orillia and Area Community Development Corporation to find ways to help impacted businesses.
"We are trying to come up with a specific plan to support those businesses and to do it with a sense of urgency. Insurance is wonderful and all, but doesn't meet immediate needs," Johnston said.
"We are focused on the people who have had their premises destroyed. In the future, we could look at creating some marketing support to keep informing people about when our streets and sidewalks are open again," he said.
OrilliaMatters contacted Meridian Credit Union. Its Orillia branch at 73 Mississaga St. E. was not destroyed by flames. An official will provide more information soon.
