Residents woke up to news of a deliberate explosion of a recreational vehicle. The impact tore into Second Avenue, a street lined with historic buildings. About 41 businesses in the area were damaged.
The couple have owned Simply the Best, a trinket and souvenir shop frequented by tourists, since 2011 and relocated their Ensemble Nashville boutique next door in March.
Peter Gibson, owner of Pride and Glory Tattoo, is their neighbor on the same street, and his company also suffered significant damage.
“This year has been tough,” Gibson told CNN’s Natasha Chen. “Obviously it’s a bit dim compared to normal. But just when we get a little light at the end of the tunnel, it all goes away in two seconds.”
Owners are hoping for government support. Meanwhile, GoFundMe accounts help businesses and employees.
Trying to understand the destruction
Sandy Lee told CNN they were shocked by photos of the damage and that they should use a map to identify their own business. She said they haven’t been able to see their businesses yet and they won’t be able to do this for 7-10 days and only if the buildings are stable.
“From the angles and photos we got first, we tried to count stores and identify something by the iconic old buildings,” she said. “We tried to count back.”
The day after the explosion, the couple thought their business was done. But after seeing feedback from community members and previous customers, it made them think they could build again, Sandy said.
“We lived on savings this year, we made sure the staff is working and paid as much as possible, we paid all our bills and rent. We own all our inventory, well, what’s left of it and you know sacrifices made to make sure it was open every day for staff to work because they need money. ”
Both Gibson and the Lees closed for a few months due to the coronavirus pandemic and reopened at the beginning of the summer. But they have not seen the number of customers they were used to.
“There’s nothing about it that could make sense,” Gibson said. ‘I’m just trying to wrap my head around it. As I keep saying, one foot in front of the other, just trying to take it every day, moment to moment. ‘
How to help
Although GIbson and the Lees have lost most of their buildings, with the encouragement of others, they say they are determined to rebuild.
“It seems appropriate to have some federal help to get these companies back on their feet,” Mayor John Cooper said on CNN’s “New Day.”
What that federal aid might look like is unclear at this point.
According to owner Ryan Kroon, the company has raised $ 50,000 to date.
“We wanted to be the first to raise our hands to help,” said Kroon. “The response is ridiculous, it blew me away.”
CNN’s Natasha Chen contributed to this report.