Fire Impacts local businesses in downtown south orange

Shortly after 3 PM on Saturday, March 14, a three alarm fire broke out at 51 South Orange Avenue and impacted several small businesses in the surrounding area. The fire directly affected Chris’ Diner, Gladys Nails and Ambiance Jewelers. Our hearts are with the business owners, employees, and residents who were impacted.

Many of you have been asking how you can help right now. As more information becomes available about ways to support those impacted, we will share it with the community. In the meantime, there is something everyone can do. Because of road closures and emergency response activity yesterday, many other local shops and restaurants were also affected during what is typically one of their busiest days of the week. Please consider making an extra effort to shop, dine, or stop into a local business this week. Every visit and every purchase makes a difference. Our small businesses are the heart of this downtown. Let’s show them we stand behind them.

South Orange Downtown is also sharing a fundraising effort to support Marco, owner of Ambiance Jewelers, during this difficult time. Marco has proudly owned and operated Ambiance Jewelers for 19 years and has become a fixture in the downtown community. A GoFundMe has been created to help him recover from the devastating fire, which caused significant water damage to his shop. Funds raised will help Marco replace lost equipment, inventory, and displays, rebuild his shop either at its current location or nearby, and recover lost days, weeks, or even months of work. If you are able and would like to help, please consider contributing or sharing the fundraiser to support Marco as he rebuilds https://gofund.me/341954807.

As more information becomes available about ways to support the other businesses directly affected, South Orange Downtown will share updates with the community.