Residents woke up to the news of a deliberate explosion of a RV. The impact plunged onto Second Avenue, a street full of historic buildings. About 41 businesses in the area were damaged.
The couple has owned Simply the Best, a bargain and souvenir shop frequented by tourists, since 2011 and moved their boutique Ensemble Nashville to the side in March.
Peter Gibson, owner of Pride and Glory Tattoo, is his neighbor on the same street and his business also suffered significant damage.
“This year has been tough,” Gibson told Natasha Chen of CNN. “Obviously it’s been a little down compared to normal. But just when we get a little light at the end of the tunnel, everything goes in two seconds.”
Homeowners are waiting for government aid. Meanwhile, GoFundMe accounts help businesses and employees.
Trying to make sense of the devastation
Sandy Lee told CNN they were surprised by the photographs of the damage and had to use a map to identify their own businesses. He said they have not yet been able to see their business and will not be able to see it for 7-10 days and only if the buildings are stable.
“From the angles and images we got first, we tried to count the shops, trying to recognize something of the iconic old buildings,” he said. “We tried to go back.”
The day after the explosion, the couple thought their business was over. But after seeing comments from community members and previous clients, it has made them think they could be rebuilt, according to Sandy.
“We lived on savings this year, we made sure the staff worked and paid everything we could, we paid all our bills and rents. We have all our inventory, well, what’s left of it and you know it made sacrifices to make sure it was open every day so staff could work because they need money. ”
Both Gibson and Lees closed due to the coronavirus pandemic for a few months and reopened in early summer. But they haven’t seen the volume of customers they were used to.
“There’s nothing that makes sense,” Gibson said. “I just try to wrap my head around each piece. As I keep saying, one foot in front of the other, just trying to grab it day in and day out, moment by moment.”
How to help
Although GIbson and the Lees have lost most of their buildings, in the spirit of others, they say they are determined to rebuild them.
“It would seem appropriate to have federal aid to get these companies back,” Mayor John Cooper told CNN’s “New Day.”
At this time it is unclear what this federal aid might look like.
So far, the company has raised $ 50,000, according to owner Ryan Kroon.
“We wanted to be the first to raise our hand to help,” Kroon said. The response has been crazy, it has impressed me. “
CNN’s Natasha Chen contributed to this report.