Business Weathering Closure

Wednesday, 2 April 2014 at 06:15

Local cake shop hopes to re-open soon after March 20 fire downtown.

WOODSTOCK -- A downtown Woodstock specialty cake shop is continuing the long process of clean up and restoration following a fire on Dundas Street last month.

Rene Hoelscher, Owner of "Let's Eat Cake" located at 478 Dundas says she's currently waiting for a report on the fire to be delivered for insurance purposes.

"I haven't heard anything back yet. I know there's been a fire report which my insurance is still waiting to get and they said it could take a couple of weeks to get that report, so I'm still waiting in limbo."

Fire crews arrived on scene just after 11:30 PM on Thursday, March 20th, where they discovered heavy smoke on Market Street. They forced their way into neighbouring "Once Again Upscale Resale" along with Let's Eat Cake where they discovered the blaze in a storage room at the back of the bakery.

On Tuesday, Woodstock Fire Department released details following the completion of the investigation into the cause of the fire. Fire officials determined that improper disposal of combustible material was the cause.

Initial reports indicated that the extent of the damages were $75,000 which have been altered to include both content and structure damage to $175,000.

While understanding the challenge associated with re-opening, Hoelscher says she can't wait to get back up and running.

"This is my livelihood, and people don't always understand that this isn't just a job to me. It's really my life, my passion, I enjoy doing it. I've had other kitchens offer to me, but still I have nothing to work with right now, where am I going to sell my products to?"

Hoelscher says there are still those who didn't know her business is currently closed because of last month's fire. She's asking her new customers to be patient.

It may yet be a couple of months, but Hoelscher says they're hoping to have a grand re-opening of "Let's Eat Cake" when the business is able to get back up and running, though there's still no word on a timeline as to when that will happen.

"I've had a few people leave messages on the phone, and I've had to leave a message saying we're closed because of the fire. It's really hard, especially if they're new customers -- to turn them away right now -- but they've been very supportive. It's tough to explain to them that I'm not sure what's happening at this point, but to give us a call when we re-open.

At least two other employees are affected right now from the temporary closure as a result of the fire. Hoelscher says in addition to clean-up, she'll still need to be inspected by the Board of Health before 'Let's Eat Cake" can re-open.

Hoelscher says she hopes her long-time customers can stick by her as she rebuilds her business. She says she's hoping to have a grand re-opening, but adds that could be a few months away.

While there's no word on just when any sort of grand re-opening could take place, Hoelscher has been touched by the community support -- as people around the city have offered their own time and assistance to help get her business back up and running so she can let locals eat cake again.