Businesses Face Decision to Rebuild — Or Not — After Tornado

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Businesses Face Decision to Rebuild — Or Not — After Tornado

Storm damage on U.S. 6 in Nappanee, October 19, 2007. (Photo courtesy: Mark Steiner)

By Beth Boehne

(AP) Some businesses are uncertain whether they'll rebuild or fold after a tornado that did an estimated $10 million in damage.

Lawn and garden store Marty & Ted Inc. on U.S. 6 in Nappanee has remained open this week despite significant storm damage. The 160 mph winds from the Oct. 18 storm blew out the showroom windows and tore the roof off half of the showroom and most of the workshop.

But brothers and co-owners Dale, Gene and Lonnie Blucker are unsure of their next step, which depends on how much their insurance company pays for reconstruction or moving.

"We're in limbo," Dale Blucker said. "We don't really know what to do."

The tornado ripped apart dozens of homes and damaged three recreational vehicle businesses when it blew through the community of some 7,000 people about 20 miles southeast of South Bend. Police said five people suffered minor injuries. Nearly 200 homes and 53 businesses were damaged or destroyed, and insurers expect more than $10 million in losses and several thousand claims, largely from the Nappanee area.

"Everything is supposed to be covered. But you never know," Blucker said of his and his brothers' business.

Also unknown are plans for Franklin Coach Co., a recreational vehicle manufacturer founded in 1945 whose plant was destroyed by the storm.

The owner of Fashion-Craft Products, which produces specialty van conversions, has decided to call it quits.

"We don't plan to rebuild," said owner Ed McElheny, 80. "We just plan to clean up and sell the property." Fashion-Craft had been in business for 40 years.

But others — like C and S Convenience Inc., whose canopy was all that was left — plan to rebuild. Trent Moser, vice president of National Oil, said construction on a new convenience store could begin in spring or before the end of fall.

Dairy Queen also is coming back.

"Our plans are to rebuild our Dairy Queen, a larger facility, here in Nappanee," said restaurant owner John Simmons. "We will take care of that as soon as we get our insurance claims resolved."

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