Brief: Fundraiser to aid Dover businesses, residents displaced by fire

The Downtown Dover Partnership and the CenDel Foundation have launched a fundraiser to help families and businesses displaced by a fire in Downtown Dover two weeks ago. | PHOTO BY ERIC CROSSAN

DOVER  — The Downtown Dover Partnership and the CenDel Foundation have teamed up to raise money to help families and businesses which were displaced by an early morning fire on West Loockerman and South New streets in Dover.

The fire was reported around 2:39 a.m. March 16, on the first floor of a three-story, mixed-use building in downtown Dover. When the blaze was under control, three businesses owned by two people were displaced. Six families who lived in apartments above the stores were also displaced. One man, Gowens Williams, 57, died in the fire.

“It’ll be a challenge to help them [families and businesses] relocate, and there’s not space readily available for businesses to move into,” DDP operations manager Tina Bradbury said during a board meeting last week.

That OG Ish, an apparel and accessories store owned by James Owens, had two locations on West Loockerman Street. Sold Out Sneaks was located between the two venues.

Owens told the Delaware State News that he estimated his loss between $40,000 and $50,000 in merchandise.

All proceeds from the “Still Dover Strong” fundraiser will be used to help the business owners and residents get back on their feet. As of March 23, the fund had raised $3,800, although Bradbury said some credit cards and checks were not processed.

Still Dover Strong is expected to be open for donations until the end of this week. Bradbury said that the DDP will work with Dover officials and NCALL to best allocate the funds. Bradbury alluded large commitments may come through once the fundraiser has ended.

For more information on how to donate to the Still Dover Strong Fund, visit https://bit.ly/3iJMlMm