The fire is out. Plans are in the works for rebuilding and the customers are returning.
That’s according to the owner of Wallace’s Garden Center at 2605 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf, after a massive fire destroyed part of the business on Saturday, May 31.
“I’m very happy with the business today. … We weren’t 100% open today (Wednesday), but customers will have full run of the place tomorrow (Thursday, June 5),” said Kate Terrell, owner of Wallace’s, on Wednesday.
The garden center reopened part of the business Wednesday morning after a fire hit the rear greenhouses and storage areas on Saturday afternoon. Seven area fire departments, plus the Bettendorf Police Department, MEDIC EMS of Scott County and Scott County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene.
On Wednesday, garden center customers were able to shop in the main store, nursery and vegetable plant section. The business was expected to be fully reopened Thursday morning.
Ms. Terrell told the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal on Wednesday that she is grateful to local firefighters for keeping the Saturday blaze contained. “This could have been lots, lots worse than it was,” she added.
Grateful for support
She is also grateful to Wallace’s employees who have been working “night and day” since Saturday to get the garden center back open.
She also praised customers for returning to the business as well as the local business community for its support. That has included Hy-Vee on Devils Glen Road for carting over water and ice for firefighters on Saturday; the many people who brought in food to the Wallace’s crew; and a local bank sending over doughnuts Wednesday morning.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from our amazing community as we worked hard to put everything back together. Your kindness has meant the world to us. … Thank you to everyone who’s reached out, brought food, or offered to help — your support means the world,” according to a post on Wallace’s Facebook page.
The cause of the Saturday fire has yet to be determined.
Ms. Terrell also doesn’t have a full financial damage report from the fire, but knows it will be expensive. For instance, one piece of growing equipment that was destroyed by the blaze will cost at least $25,000 to replace.
Even with those expenses expected to add up, she says the business will rebuild. As of Wednesday afternoon, plans were in the works for rebuilding the garden center in the coming weeks.
“It’s going to cost us money. But we will build back better,” she added.
