Geneva business community organizes to help Pärla after fire

A Geneva business that was damaged by fire is getting help from the community on the cleanup.

The Geneva Fire Department is investigating the cause of the July 22 fire at Pärla, 122 Hamilton St. Fire Chief Mike Antenore said the fire, which began in the front of the store, was not considered intentional and no accelerant was involved.

Pärla is a consignment store of home decor on two floors.

“It’s too early to say what the estimate of damage is,” said Kristen Cornelio, the business’s social media coordinator. “But it went all the way up to the second level, which was filled with merchandise. The entire building inside suffered damage. It’s just devastating. My heart just aches for [owner] Dawn [Muir].”

Cornelio organized a cleanup to assist Muir. Local small business owners and community members came together to offer help and donate supplies.

“Everyone was wearing masks because the smoke smell was so extreme,” Cornelio said. “We were slowly taking out one room at a time and we were removing the breakables and bubble wrapping and packing and boxing.”

Volunteers included Tom and Jennifer Feltes, owners of The Royal Wren, and their son; Sandy Sirisomsack, co-owner of Cravings; Chuck Osborne, co-owner of Harvey’s Tales; Lynne Ball, owner of Liz & Kate Boutique; Shari Ralish, former owner of Peaceful Parlour; Kelly Vass of State Street Jewelers; Jeremy Pena of Crystal Life Technology; and Cathy Humphreys and Amy Goedken, owners of Up North Wine Tasting Room.

“BG Hospitality’s Gia Mia restaurant from the Geneva location generously provided lunch for the volunteers, demonstrating the strong community spirit and support for Pärla during this difficult time,” Cornelio said.

Community members can follow Pärla’s social media for updates on how to assist via Facebook or Instagram at @parla_geneva.

Anyone willing to donate packing tape and bubble wrap may do so at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce office, 8 S. Third St., Geneva, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

Cravings, 113 W. State St., donated a portion of sales July 23 and 24 to assist Parla.

Up North Wine Tasting Room, 9 N. Second St., donated a portion of its proceeds July 25.

“The process is going to be a long road for her and we want to keep the momentum of helping Dawn,” Cornelio said. “She opened last year at the beginning of April and just celebrated her one-year anniversary.”