SALEM — The owner of the framing store and art gallery that was badly damaged in a Thursday night fire said she plans to reopen.
"We're going to stay there," said Wendy Snow-Lang, owner of the Art Corner, 264 Washington St. "We're going to stay there and rebuild."
The one-story building on Mill Hill was boarded up yesterday after a blaze that took firefighters about an hour to get under control. A fire crew returned to the scene yesterday morning just to make sure the fire had not rekindled.
"Right now, we don't think it was suspicious, but it's still under investigation," Deputy Chief James Lynch said. "... It's pretty well destroyed inside."
The store owner is hopeful that supplies stored in the basement are undamaged, and that some items can be salvaged from the main floor. During an interview at midday, Snow-Lang said she had not gone back inside during daylight hours to assess the damage.
"I know the cellar's in fine shape — that's where we store all our equipment and all our supplies. It's just water damage."
Among the items stored in the cellar are a collection of antique frames.
"I just had my part-time girl move them down in the cellar — they all should be in good shape," she said.
Snow-Lang said she is most concerned about the artwork dropped off by customers for framing, some of which is irreplaceable. "I can't wait to get in to try to salvage what I can for the customers."
Also expected to be lost are 30 artworks that were on display this month as part of a "Brand Spankin' New!" exhibit by members of the Salem Arts Association. The art show was scheduled to end next Wednesday.
"I think there were about 20 members of the Arts Association whose work was in the show," said Gary LaParl, president of the nonprofit organization. "There were some really beautiful pieces, too. ... It was an exhibit of work that had been created this year."
Just hours after the fire, e-mail messages began to circulate among local artists. There was concern for the artwork lost, and even more concern for Snow-Lang, who bought the business three years ago after working at the Art Corner for about 20 years.
"There's already discussion of a fundraiser, but (Snow-Lang) doesn't know what she needs yet," said Jennifer "Jeff" Bowie, owner of the Picklepot, a local gallery. Bowie, Snow-Lang and a few others are the driving forces behind the Salem Arts Association, which was founded last year.
The Art Corner is known around the region for framing, Bowie said. "That's where the artists took their work."
One of the only pieces of good news from the fire was the rescue of four goldfish. Snow-Lang assumed they were dead when she entered the store Thursday night, and then saw one move.
"A fireman went to get a gallon bottle of spring water and cut the top off, so we put them in there," she said.
Snow-Lang spent much of yesterday talking to her insurance company and the building owner. She is convinced she can reopen and hopeful her customers will return.
"We were just watching 'Field of Dreams' the other night and (believe) if we rebuild it, they will come," she said. "That's what we're just going to keep saying."
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