MORGANTOWN — Model Cleaners was reduced to its frame in a fire early Sunday morning, but owner Dan LaCarte said the business will re-open nearby on Wednesday.
“We aren’t going to let this define us,” he said. “We’re going to respond in a positive way.”
LaCarte said he signed a lease on Monday for a location in Northpointe Plaza, about 500 feet down the road. He said Premier Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC, did a “great job” helping him find a place so quickly.
Making sure his Morgantown employees keep their jobs and continuing to grow the business is important to him, LaCarte said.
People who lost garments in the fire will be contacted and reimbursed, he said. The location did not clean clothes on-site, it was a pick-up and drop-off location and those who used the company’s free home pick-up and drop-off service were not affected, LaCarte said.
“There are no clothes; there’s only ashes in there,” LaCarte said.
LaCarte and his employees set-up a tent outside the building Monday and were handing out flyers to customers informing them of the fire and the steps the business was taking. Customers who want to reach out can call a hotline at 304-292-4730.
After the investigation is finished and the insurance company gives him the go-ahead, landlord Al Barnes said he plans to clear the debris from the two burned-down buildings.
The fire started in and destroyed The Blue Parrot Cabaret. Barnes owned that building and he owns the building next door housing Eloquence Antiques & Artisans, which suffered no damage, he said.
Barnes said arson is not suspected. The state Fire Marshal, who is handling the investigation, was not available for comment Monday.
