Thanks: Art Corner will rise from the ashes

May 14, 2008 05:45 am

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To the editor:

Now that we have more than a week of our ordeal/adventure — the terrible fire at the Art Corner the night of Thursday, April 24 — behind us, I'd like to take the time to offer my thanks and praise to those who were so helpful in those gut-wrenching hours when my husband and I rounded the corner to see the smashed-out windows and spewing smoke from the store, which was our passion and our livelihood.

The Salem Fire Department, of course, did their best job here. It could have been MUCH worse!

Human lives were not at stake, and yet they ran to save our four fish! (The littlest goldfish couldn't stand the strain and succumbed the next day.)

Fire Inspector John Payne was most sympathetic and escorted us through the burned-out areas to retrieve what we could. Thankfully, all the important papers and records were spared and we were able to remove them. My good Canon camera was parked just inside the back door and I was able to grab that and it is in perfect working order!

Inspector Payne was also the one who spearheaded the Great Goldfish Rescue! (Hmmm, I see a short story in this!)

The Police Department had men on the scene even before the Fire Department and my best thanks go out to Detective Bill Jennings, who offered his sage advice, his shoulder and his friendship.

Councillor-at-large Jean Pelletier stayed through much of the excitement and assured me that the city would be available if we needed anything. Mayor Driscoll's chief aide, Jason Silva, contacted me later via e-mail and extended the same offer.

Instant Alarm was quick and professional in notifying the authorities and us in enough time to save the structure and many of the items on the ground floor. The cellar fared much better, except for water damage.

Steve and Peter Ingemi have been fair and understanding as landlords and are as anxious, I think, as I am about getting the store back in business. They are business people and know the importance of "business as usual"!

The Salem Arts Association, whose members lost work in the fire — they had a members' show hanging called "Brand Spankin' New" — will turn their efforts to a benefit event to help us get back on our feet. Love them all!

The Salem Chamber of Commerce has been extra supportive, especially Rinus Oosthoek, Patrick DeIulis, Jennifer Bell and Sandra Heaphy.

My employees, Elaine, Justin, Nancy and Erin, have been in almost daily touch. They are anxious to get back to work at the new and improved Art Corner! They could find jobs elsewhere, but they aren't interested in that.

And to our loyal customers: You guys are the BEST customers any business owner could ever hope to have. I've been fielding calls from so many people, some who were wondering about the status of their pieces, but also those who were more worried about us! Thank you!

My special thanks and sympathies go out to David Bacigalupo who started the Art Corner way back in 1977. I was still a "wet-behind-the-ears" poor art student at the time, and was ever so happy to discover an art supply and custom framing store in the next town over from where I grew up, rather than having to go into Boston to buy supplies. Even after he decided to concentrate on the custom framing, I was loyal to Dave and the Art Corner for my framing and matting needs.

I met my husband through Dave at the Art Corner. We lived next door to the Art Corner the first couple of years we were married. We've met many life-long friends through our association with the store!

David never realized it, but he laid the foundation for an entire community of artists and friends and customers and PEOPLE in the little shop that he opened 30 years ago! He is, perhaps, more heartbroken about this fire than I am. The Art Corner was his baby. I'm just the caretaker.

We'll be back, whether at the original location, or somewhere else! We'll stay in Salem, because we love Salem! I think Salem loves us.

On that note, not wanting this to be like all those long and boring Academy Award winners' yawn-inspiring speeches, I'll leave it at that.

WENDY SNOW-LANG

Salem

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