Thrasher’s Garden and Feed Centre. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
A Belleville business that was dealt a tragic blow is more than ready to move on.
Thrasher’s Garden and Feed Centre hosts its official reopening on Saturday, June 7, almost two years after a fire destroyed their North Front Street building.
Much of the business’s main building was destroyed by fire, deemed an arson, on August 20, 2023.
Michelle Thrasher says it was devastating.
“It was the worst day of my life. It was horrible. But we came together the next day and started trying to come up with a plan.”
Belleville firefighter douses sawdust bales at Thrasher’s Garden Centre late Sunday night. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
She says they were almost immediately able to work out of an old warehouse to continue offering animal feed.
Within a few days they were able to rent a temporary location across the street from the warehouse to begin building the rest of the business.
Police quickly arrested a suspect in the fire.
David Robertson, 52 at the time of the incident, plead guilty to arson charges and last August was sentenced to one day in jail, in addition to the 11-plus months he served in pre-trial custody and given three years probation.
Michelle Thrasher:
“I was nowhere near being ready to be open. I still had so much yet to do and he was out. But, it is what it is.”
It took several more months but the new Thrasher’s Garden Centre opened on May 7.
Thrasher’s Garden and Feed Centre. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
Thrasher commends the work done by Harmony Homes on their beautiful new building.
She says they were able to make a few changes for the better.
“I did put an upstairs in so that it gave us more floor space because we put the office and lunchroom up there. And, yeah, it’s definitely newer and nicer and brighter.”
Thrasher has been humbled by the community support they’ve received since that night on August 20, 2023.
“The community support has been unreal, I mean the whole time…I knew there would be but it was still overwhelming.”
Everything is culminating in this Saturday’s grand reopening.
The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m.
“Ribbon cutting is about 2:15 time and we are very excited. Serving champagne and have some snacks. And Duffer’s Chip Wagon is giving out small fries. Yeah, it’ll be quite the to-do.”
There will also be raffles and giveaways.
Thrasher says this is their way of saying thank you to their customers and the community for sticking with them.
Thrasher’s Garden and Feed Centre. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)