Flood-ravaged Plymouth businesses uplifted by community support
Kemnitz Fine Candies owner Lori Collick stands behind a table that is filled with 80 late-night online orders she received just hours after a flood devastated several downtown Plymouth businesses.
Just hours after their businesses were severely impacted by generational flooding in downtown Plymouth, entrepreneurs along Ann Arbor Trail were hit by a tidal wave of random kindness.
“The community response we’ve received — a lot of times from random strangers — has been amazing,” said Krystal Shiklanian, owner of Radiant Fine Jewelry. “I can’t even tell you how many texts and calls I received; and people simply popping in, letting us know how sorry they were.
“One lady came in not long after we re-opened and said, ‘I need a little repair. It’s very little, but I wanted to do something to help you in some way.”
Lori Collick, owner of Ann Arbor Trail mainstay Kemnitz Fine Candies, has experienced similar heart-warming gestures over the past several days, she said.
“The night people started hearing how we were impacted by the flood, I received 80 online orders between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.,” shared Collick, who lost thousands of dollars worth of chocolate as a result of the April 3 event.
‘This community is wonderful’
When asked how many late-night online orders she usually receives, Collick said, “Zero”.
“This community is wonderful,” Collick said. “For instance, when I had to move boxes of chocolate from the store to my car, several people offered to help. And a couple days after the flood, a young couple came in and said, ‘OK, we’re here to work! What can we do to help?'”
Appreciative of the support, Shiklanian and Collick emphasized their businesses — and their neighbor businesses — will need all of the patronage they can get to help overcome the financial losses they’ve experienced.
Both of their buildings were constructed close to 80 years ago, so the original materials have been permanently affected, which will require extended restorations.
Bonding as one
The pair also expressed concerns regarding the long-term future of a few of their business neighbors, who have yet to re-open.
“We were impacted by a flood less than two years ago, so I knew what to expect,” said Shiklanian.
“As I was driving to the store for the first time that Thursday morning after hearing about the flood on Channel 7 News, I called Restoration 1. I actually have them on speed dial just in case (she smiled). They were already at Ironwood Grill and said they’d be at our place soon.
“My place was hit hard, but some of my neighbors’ weren’t as lucky. They’re going to need the community’s support when they re-open.”
The business owners said the business owners along Ann Arbor Trail help each other out in times of need.
“It’s reassuring to know that your neighbors are there for you when you need them,” Shiklanian said.
The key to getting through tough times
Shiklanian said she is grateful for her landlord (the Beitner Family) for offering to pay for the restoration costs for her business. However, there are still several repairs and replacement costs that will be forthcoming.
Both Shiklanian and Collick said there’s probably one most-important quality when it comes to getting through tough times like they are.
“Resilience is essential,” said Collick. “When tragedy hits, my focus is usually very clear. A couple weeks after, though,, I fall for a while.”
The business owners both admitted they’ve grown proactive in case Ann Arbor Trail is transformed into a river again.
Shiklanian said her husband purchased several sandbags to use if Mother Nature strikes again.
And Collick said her husband has come up with a device that will help repel water before it enters the store at the rear of the building.
“Let’s hope it’s not needed, but I have a feeling this isn’t going to be our last flood,” she said.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhosuenews.com.
