Swampscott fire victims relocation plan hits snag

SWAMPSCOTT – The owners of two of the businesses displaced by an early March fire said they are now seeking temporary space in trailers after they could not find commercial space to share in town.No one was injured in the early morning March 2 blaze, but the fire completely destroyed residences and six businesses at 128-140 Humphrey St.: Raina’s Hair Color Café, Peter’s Custom Tailoring, J&I Custom Draperies and Upholstery, the offices of Giovannucci Brothers Inc. Custom Carpentry and Remodeling Services, Jessica’s Nail Salon and Spa and The Sea Side Café.The business owners have gathered with business executives, insurance experts and town officials twice since the fire to discuss how the businesses could re-establish themselves. At their March 17 meeting, local businessman Charlie Patsios offered to donate commercial space at 460 Humphrey St., next to Fishermen’s Crossing, that four of the businesses could share. Raina’s Hair Color Cafe and Giovannucci Brothers have consolidated operations to other properties they own, and did not attend the meeting.But Lizette Alcalai of Sagan Realtors, who proposed the idea of the shared space, said the location also contained an auto-repair shop that would have posed a problem with the delicate fabrics for the tailor and drapery businesses. Another possible shared space had too many upfront costs for the businesses, said Alcalai.So, she said, she is pursuing another option raised at one of the meetings: placing temporary trailers either at the building site or elsewhere in town.”We’re not giving up, we’re trying to see if we can negotiate with the owner (of the shared space),” Alcalai said. “But we’re trying to see now if the owner of the original building will allow us to put a trailer there.”That may be easier said than done.Swampscott Fire Chief Kevin Breen said that the building site has been completely cleared of debris and filled with earth so that it could be built upon and Building Inspector Alan Hezekiah said that the property owner could place a trailer at the site for up to 90 days, or up to 180 days if they got a permit.But Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said that trailers at the site might require concrete pads, and that other locations in town – for instance the parking lot at Temple Israel – would be more appropriate.”I wouldn’t think it would be viable in the short term,” Maylor said.Building owner Jane Orloff said that she is amenable to the idea of placing the trailers at the site, but she could not commit to the plan without investigating the necessary regulatory steps and getting more information on their plans to rebuild the site.”We’re just in the beginning stages of seeing what we can do,” said Orloff. “But we’re moving forward and trying to get the information that we all need.”Meanwhile, the business owners are trying to keep customers happy.”I’m able to work from home and have gotten new machines,” said Irma Jimenez, owner of I&J Custom Drapery and Upholstery. “But it’s a big difference going from a storefront. I used to have about half of my business from walk-ins. It’s like starting from the bottom and rebuilding.”Debra Consoli, of the Seaside Cafe, seemed more frustrated.”We’ve been looking to find another site, but it’s tough to find a turnkey business in this town,” said Consoli. “It’s not like you can just walk into a space and start cooking.”She said she’s thankful she has another job installing alarms. But she can’t escape memories of better times at her business by the beach: she just installed the alarm system at the new Humphrey Plaza location of Peter’s Custom Tailoring.Jessica Xion of Jessica’s Nail Salon and Spa is currently seeing customers at Artistic Nails on Humphrey Street. Peter’s Custom Tailoring reported that they signed a lease last Thursday at a new location in Humphrey Plaza, owner Henrietta Ricciardelli said, adding that the business will have a grand re-opening the first week in April.The owners of The Seaside Café are still seeking a