MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Mountain Top business is getting some help from the community after a big setback.
The women's boutique shop has been sidelined since May following a fire. On Sunday, a good crowd turned out for a show-stopping car and motorcycle show fundraiser.
The funds from the car and motorcycle show will help the owner as she starts from square one.
People packed the parking lots of King's Pizza and Caribbean Smokehouse on Sunday, but they were not there just for food.
They turned out to see a car and motorcycle show that benefits another business in Mountain Top, the Women's Boutique and Consignment Shop.
Bikers like Bobby Ent of Wilkes-Barre with the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club showed off their rides to raise funds for the beleaguered business.
"We've got buckets out for people to donate whatever they can," Ent explained.
Besides the buckets, there were baskets. Community members donated raffle baskets and gift certificates.
A 50/50 drawing was also held.
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20 motorcycles and roughly 40 cars of all sorts were on display to support the boutique, temporarily out of business.
In May, the smoky fire badly damaged the boutique. Much of the shop's inventory had to be discarded.
"It was in the back, up in the rafters. It was an electrical fire, and it just took off," Women's Boutique and Consignment Owner Misty Kazmierski stated.
Kazmierski hoped her business would have reopened by now, but with some insurance issues, getting the business up and running again is taking longer than expected.
While Sunday's event did not have a fundraising goal, those on hand hoped it would be enough.
"I believe it's going to make a big impact, it's not only showing that our communities can pull together, and not only that we give a lot of money outside of the community when somebody's in trouble. You know the old saying, the valley with the heart? We can also help each other out," Ent added.
"I just want to thank our community for everybody who did donate baskets and gift certificates, and we really appreciate everyone who has helped us out," Kazmierski continued.
Women's Boutique and Consignment has managed to keep business flowing on social media and its website.
Once the rebuilding is complete, the owner plans to have a grand re-opening for her shoppers and consignors.
