Heavily hit by flood, Forest Lake Fabrics plans re-opening

Forest Lake Fabrics will re-open in a couple of weeks in the same — albeit stronger — building, making it one of the last businesses on a small stretch of Forest Drive at Gills Creek to recover from last fall’s historic floods.

“To know that things will be back to normal in two weeks is the best feeling in the world,” said Michael Marsha, Forest Lake Fabrics owner. An opening date has not been set, but he hopes the store will be ready to go by early September.

On Oct. 4, as more than a foot of rain fell on the Columbia area, huge tree logs and other debris washed down Gills Creek and crashed out the back wall of Marsha’s building. A calvacade of water moved through the building and burst out the front windows.

Days afterward, Marsha said bolts of fabric were found long distances away. The lost inventory was valued at $1 million, he said.

“Back in January, when we finally got the insurance settlement on the building, we really had to decide what we were going to do,” Marsha said.

The options were repairing the building to its original condition or spending more money to strengthen it. They chose to make the building stronger.

Hiring engineers and constructors, Marsha had the two-story, 14,000-square-foot building fortified with concrete and steel from the ground to seven feet up, topped by an addtional three feet of brick veneer.

Both the inside and outside walls were made as water-proof as possible, Marsha said.

The concrete flooring inside is covered by new wood laminate with carpeted seating areas on either side of the front entrance.

It was a perfect time to also change the facade of the building by introducing a row of reinforced windows on the second floor facing the street, which adds natural light to the second story. That’s where Marsha stores the thousands of bolts of colorful fabrics he sells.

Equipment also was added to pump out any water that seeps into the building. Repairing the building and raising it to the current standard cost $350,000.

Marsha, his wife, Ginger, and their youngest daughter, Stephanie, are busy organizing bolts of fabric by color and pattern for display.

Recovering from the flood has been challenging, said Marsha, whose family started the business more than 50 years ago. "The 10 months have been trying, financially, spiritually, and emotionally, but I'm closer to the Lord than I've ever been," he said.

Prior to the flood, Marsha said, he attended Mass on occasion days — Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day. "I don't miss a Mass now," he said.

Forest Lake Fabrics and Coplon’s, two doors away, were among the heaviest hit businesses in that stretch of Forest Drive.

Coplon’s, an upscale women’s apparel store, recently re-opened in the Forest Lake Shopping Center, where the final touches are being put on the store. The interior was completely re-done in an elegant, chic motif.

“We are so very grateful for all of the support of our friends and customers throughout the rebuilding process and are excited for everyone to see the new and improved Coplon’s,” said owner Bruce Greenberg. No date has been set yet for the store’s formal grand re-opening.

Next door, between Coplan’s and Zoe’s Kitchen, which also has re-opened from the flood, is Schiano’s Pizza & Pasta, which specializes in fast casual Italian, according to its marquee.

“I’m happy to see that everybody is getting back online,” said Frank Schiano, the owner. “I’m happy that Mr. Marsha’s place is looking as wonderful as it is, and I think things are going to be better than ever.”

Schiano’s re-opened two-and-a-half months after the flood, Schiano said, and business is building up again. “Our business, when we first opened after the flood, wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for, but it’s been trending up and our local customers and everyone have been coming back to us and I think it’s going to be great.”

With the flood’s one-year anniversary just seven weeks away, Jack Oliver, president of the Forest Acres Merchants Association, said it’s been a struggle coping. But the disaster brought out “the best of our town, our city, by far,” he said.

“We met people that came from out-of-state to help us rebuild and get better, and we’re coming out of this whole flood bigger and better than ever – stronger for sure.”

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 7:36 PM with the headline "Heavily hit by flood, Forest Lake Fabrics plans re-opening."