The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce aids fire-ravaged downtown shops rebuild

The businesses harmed by the fire on Rockaway Avenue in January have faced numerous difficulties in reopening and returning to normal. Damage caused by the fire was costly, and the Valley Stream community has lent a helping hand by participating in a fundraiser hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the proceeds of which will aid the businesses in their reopening efforts.

On June 27, the Chamber presented $5,507.11 raised by their fundraiser to Jadwiga Polish American Deli, Valley Stream Pharmacy, Orange Skye, Hearing Center of Long Island and Integrated Electronics. The money was split evenly between the five businesses.

“On a volunteer basis, the Chamber board stepped up when a community needed it most,” said Mayor Ed Fare at the meeting where the check was presented. “We had five businesses devastated by fire in the village. ... It’s a devastating, traumatic event and here, the Chamber, on their own, decided to have a fundraiser for Valley Stream businesses. How great is that?”

Chamber president Sasan Shavanson said that the Chamber used a GoFundMe page to raise the money and that he felt obligated to help the community after the tragedy.

“I’m always helping people,” said Shavanson. “It was all volunteers. It’s our community, keeping the community together.”

Catherine and Kevin Morris, the owners of Orange Skye, are in the process of closing on a new location and hope to open it in July. Kevin Morris said that they are still lacking clarity about the original location that was affected by the fire.

“The place is still in the same condition that it was right after the fire,” Morris said. “I don’t know exactly what’s been going on, the insurance companies aren’t really letting us know exactly when there’s going to be clean up, then we can go in and salvage whatever we can.”

A lack of clarity from insurance companies over repairs and financial restoration has also affected Jadwiga Polish American Deli. Mariola Skoczeka said that her mother still doesn’t know if she will reopen because their insurance company has been unclear. She added that her mother wants to reopen but that it’s been a struggle financially.

Anita Lamgella of Integrated Electronics has acquired a new location and said that she hopes to open within the month.

“We’re almost done with the renovations of a new place,” Lamgella said.

Larry Cardano, the owner of Hearing Center of Long Island, was able to procure a new location for his practice within two weeks of the fire. He will be stepping down from running the new location because he was recently named vice president of the Valley Stream Lion’s Club. Hearing and Brain Centers of America, a group that worked with Cardano on staff training in the past, will take over the practice.

“They will acquire the office, keep the staff and keep taking care of patients,” Cardano said. “So I passed that onto them.”

Cardano added that the location affected by the fire has suffered a lot of damage and will most likely have to be knocked down.

The business owners all expressed gratitude towards the Chamber of Commerce for organizing a fundraiser and helping them get on their feet again.

“We think that it’s absolutely amazing for us because we can use as much help as we can get,” said Morris. “And this is a blessing.”