Giving Thanks

The past year has been a difficult trying time for us.  In November, 2010, we had a heater fire in our brick and mortar store.  Thankfully, nobody was injured.  We did  have soot and smoke damage.  We were fortunate to have excellent insurance coverage.  However, the logistics at times were overwhelming.  Both Mike's Sporting Goods and Embroidery Fashions Boutique eCrater stores had to be put on hold.   All the inventory in our brick and mortar store  had to be counted and removed from the premises and placed in storage pods.  The inside of the store had to be gutted and renovated.  During the renovations, our brick and mortar store was open and we were trying to keep our business a float during an economic down turn.
Many times, friends, family and even customers would try to console us by saying you have insurance.  Yes, we have insurance; but, it is not as simple as it sounds.  It was a fiasco from the beginning. We ended up hiring a public adjuster to represent us in the negotiations with the insurance company.  A little over a year later the claim is still not completely settled.
We are very thankful for the encouragement, support and friendship of the eCrater Stores Network community.  We are thankful for the help of our family who have volunteered hours of their time to help us.  We are thankful for our customers who have supported us. We are not completely restocked and restored; but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And for that we are very Thankful.