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04-21-2004, 05:45 PM
courtesy of Tom

Timmins appeal for Shania's help
By Gina Rocca


Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:00


Local News - A downtown building gutted by fire over the weekend will face the wrecker's ball.


A representative for Moffatt Developments, owner of the building that accommodated The Good Samaritan Inn's Thrift Store, said the company plans to demolish the structure.


The blue steel building at 24 Birch St. S. was the scene of a major fire Saturday evening.

The building has been determined by the insurance adjuster to be a total write off and will have to be demolished, the representative said. The cost to rebuild it would be more than $300,000 and due to it's hazardous condition it is better to knock it down.


As for plans of reopening the thrift store, Rose Nadeau, president and founder of The Good Samaritan Inn, said everything is up in the air.


I am waiting for an opportunity to come along and relying on the news of what happened to get to people and hopefully someone will want to rent to us, Nadeau said. (Maple Leaf is free - Tower comment )


In the meantime, I will be knocking on doors if I happen to see a suitable place.


As well, I am challenging real estate agents in town to talk to any clients who have an empty building that could be used for a good cause, instead of just deteriorating, Nadeau said. (The Maple Leaf is still not sold Tower comment )


The fire destroyed all the contents inside including furniture, kitchen utensils, clothing, dishes, etc.


Nadeau said she doesn't know the exact dollar value of the contents.


It's difficult to put an amount on second-hand items but, the store would generate around $1,500 a month in revenue.


Nadeau said the items were not insured.


However, she said The Good Samaritan Inn has a number of items in storage that could fill another store.


Nadeau said she is hoping for the kindness of the community and its most famous native, Shania Twain, to help the Good Samaritan Inn.


Since Timmins is Shania Twain's hometown, I hope she will find out about our loss and come to the rescue.


The fire on Birch Street South was the second major downtown fire in just over two months.


The historic Ostrosser Building was destroyed by fire on Feb. 4.


© 2004, OSPREY MEDIA GROUP INC.