On Friday morning, July 26, Sunshine City Popcorn Co. owner, Evan Wolf, was driving past his shop on Central Ave to meet a business partner. But he had to do a double take when he passed the block his store is on. A heap of brick and twisted steel covered the ground. The facade on the building had toppled, peeling back the awning the runs the length of the business on the block.
“I couldn’t fathom what I was looking at,” says Wolf.
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While the cause of damage has not been verified, a lightning strike is the most likely culprit.
Since the façades of each business are interconnected, the city has since deemed Sunshine City Popcorn Co. and numerous businesses on that block unsafe for retail. Now business owners like Evan Wolf are scrambling to salvage lost profits.
Golden Isles Brewing Co. offers to function as popcorn pick-up spot
Evan Wolf’s wholesale business partner, Golden Isles Brewing Co., has offered to function as a pick-up spot for Sunshine City Popcorn. “I’m really hoping that people will continue doing what they’ve done an amazing job of,” says Wolf. “Ordering online and doing pick-ups.”
In the meantime, the landlords who own the buildings are doing what they can to address the structural issues. Demo will reportedly begin immediately, allowing Sunshine City Popcorn to open for business again as early as next week. However, reconstructing the facade will take much longer.
If you are interested in helping out Sunshine City Popcorn Co., the best way is to keep placing your usual orders online, and picking them up at Golden Isles Brewing Co. (3000 Dr. MLK Jr. St.).
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