CHIPPEWA FALLS — Iris Boutique owner Leah Ritchie was stunned and thrilled to see 16 volunteers line up Tuesday to help her clear out space to set up her new shop. On June 3, the roof collapsed at the two-story building of her shop, causing severe damage to her business, and she hasn’t been able to re-open.
So, Ritchie is reopening Iris Boutique across the street, in a portion of the Off The Rack Bridal World business, where Lucy’s Deli (117 N. Bridge Street) was previously located before closing in August 2023.
But first, Ritchie needed volunteers to help clear the dresses and clothing items in that area to make room for her business, which she hopes to re-open this fall.
“I can’t even begin to express the way people have showed up,” Ritchie said. “The people of Chippewa have really been extraordinary. It’s really amazing.”
Ritchie, who has been open on N. Bridge Street for five years, said the move came together quickly. She posted on Facebook she was seeking help, and within hours, she had more than a dozen volunteers, most of whom have shopped with her for years.
The volunteers carefully removed the clothing items, most hanging on rows of racks, and relocated them to a basement room in the main portion of the Off The Rack Bridal World store.
LuAnn Hale, owner of Off The Rack Bridal World, said she was raised to help out others, and she reached out to Ritchie about using part of her space.
“When I heard about it, my heart said we had to help,” Hale said. “We’ll be ‘scrunched’ a bit, but we’ll make it work.”
Sherry Jasper, a Chippewa Falls School Board member, was among the volunteers who showed up and ready to assist.
“It’s an amazing community that does good things when there is a need,” Jasper said.
Beth Passint is retired and said she was thrilled to see so many volunteers like herself.
“I heard about what happened. I’m free and I want to help,” Passint said. “I’m just pleased with the support. A lot of hands makes work easy.”
Vicki Walter said she has shopped at Iris Boutique for 15 years — the first 10 years in Menomonie and the past five years at its location on N. Bridge St.
“I’m all about small businesses,” Walter said. “When I see a small business struggle, I jump in and help where I can.”
Kaelyn Nitz, 16, and Brad Eichelt, 17, will be seniors this fall at Chippewa Falls High School. Eichelt was the only male volunteer.
“We saw it on Facebook. If I have the day off, I might as well help,” Nitz said.
Eichelt said he didn’t expect so many volunteers.
“I just wanted to volunteer some hours. It’s something to do, and better than sitting at home,” Eichelt said.
Crashing downThe roof of the two-level building, located at 120 N. Bridge St., collapsed at about 10:45 p.m. Monday, June 3. The collapse in the rear of the building caused a portion of the second floor to crash into the first level. City inspector Paul Lasciewicz said “water build-up on the roof” apparently caused the collapse, as there was a stain line on the roof that indicated a high water mark. Lasciewicz has ordered the building to be torn down or repaired.
Ritchie said it was hard to enter the shop and see the devastation. The collapse caused one of the front windows of the shop to be blown out.
“A lot of the damage was in the back. I was able to salvage 90% of the inventory. It was shocking. It was like a bomb went off in the back. It’s very depressing. It’s a mess. There’s a lot of water. It’s very gross back there.”
The water damage ruined the clothes that were in the area of the roof collapse.
“The building needs to be more secure before people can go in,” she said.
The upstairs was empty; the apartment had been under renovation. So, no one was present or hurt during the collapse.
Ritchie said she originally opened Iris Boutique in Menomonie 15 years ago, before moving the shop to Chippewa Falls five years ago.
Most Popular
Comments / 0