By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Almost three months after a fire devastated Burlington’s downtown retail anchor, the owner of Schuette-Daniels Furniture store says no decisions have been made on whether to rebuild.
“We haven’t totally decided anything yet,” said Matt Daniels, the store’s owner. “We’re totally still up in the air, not committing on anything.”
No one was injured in the April 5 fire, but 30 people were evacuated as the blaze ravaged the building that houses the business and smoke and water damaged surrounding businesses and apartments.
John F. Schuette founded Schuette-Daniels Furniture in 1929, according to the company’s website. In 1954 Richard Daniels joined the corporation, becoming partial owner of the business that would later involve many of his 13 children and their spouses.
Richard’s son, Matt, joined the business in 1977 and became owner in 2008 after Richard retired.
The problem now, Matt Daniels said, is getting through the damage to determine what to do with the primary business building.
“We’re working through the building, as far as the total structure of the building,” Matt said. “We’re taking a look at everything that pertains to it.
“We’ll move forward when we get the information we need from the insurance companies.”
Daniels said the family is still waiting to tear down the 413 South Pine Street building, where the fire started. Once that is done, he said, the family would get a better look at the connecting walls.
“We realize it’s a slow process,” Daniels said. “We’ve been receiving and delivering furniture out of the warehouse. We’re still in the process of doing that.”
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