Fire halts business, raises community concern

Editor’s Note: This is a personal account from Spectrum Writer Jessica Chapin about a fire that occurred at Ravish, a clothing and alternative photography shop, in Richmond’s Historic District Oct. 31. The Commonwealth Times acknowledges that no officials from Richmond’s fire or police departments were interviewed for the story.

While walking through Richmond’s Historic District, I noticed a purple and white sign for Ravish, a clothing and alternative photography shop, located at 1519 W. Main St.

In hopes of learning more about the unique merchandise in the store, I lightly knocked on the door to try to schedule an interview.

As I introduced myself as a reporter for The Commonwealth Times, Bonnie Humphries, the store’s owner, turned to me with a solemn look on her face and handed me a business card covered with soot.

Even though the store sold gothic-style attire, it looked blacker than it should.

I quickly learned why.

About 3:15 a.m. Oct. 31, a fire that started in the rear of the store triggered the alarm. Officials notified Humphries and she rushed to the scene, but caution tape sectioned off a two-block radius around the store’s perimeter.

Nix Smith, assistant manager, said she heard about the unfortunate incident at about 9 a.m. and reacted in what she called “bewilderment.”

Smith said the only thing they could do was “follow the steps, call the landlord, call the insurance company.”

The Ravish team said that officials told them an investigation would follow, but they would be able to go into the store the next day.

“It was really difficult because we wanted to clean up but couldn’t touch anything because of the investigation,” Smith said.

During the past couple of days, Smith and Humphries are realizing the damage. They said that most of the physical damage to the doors and windows in the rear of the building were caused by firefighters trying to get inside to extinguish the fire

“Most of it (the damage) was smoke damage to the inventory,” Smith said. “We’re very sad by the whole thing. It’s a very frustrating situation because right now there’s nothing we can do except for wait.”

The fire damaged one of the store’s cameras, some photography equipment and both computers.

“We were sad that they (the customers) don’t have us and we don’t get to see them now,” said Smith, adding that many of Ravish employees support surrounding businesses and local bands.

Before the fire occurred, Ravish displayed posters for local bands, and reserved a section of their desk to advertise fliers and cards from other businesses. A film premier was scheduled to take place at Ravish the night after the fire. Employees were disappointed that it had to be cancelled.

Although the store opened in May, it quickly integrated into the Richmond music and art scene.

The store combined portrait photography with West Coast-style fashions that differ from the Richmond norm. Humphries said she opened Ravish as a place where young people can buy clothes or have their professional pictures taken. The store even provided customers with the option of taking photos in costumes.

Opening the store was unique in terms of location. Ravish is located in a historic building that still has much of its original flooring, windows and ceiling tiles, and is protected by the Historical Preservation Society.

The fire damaged many of the historic artifacts and materials that make this business special, but Humphries and Smith hope to reopen the store as soon as possible.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. The Ravish team has yet to discuss ways the community can get involved in the restoration process.

“We are grateful of the support that we’ve had up to this point, and the people who have been calling to check up on us,” Smith said.