Tewantin businesses are joining forces to recover from a fire, with a community fundraising event to help “bring people back” to the precinct.
Head to Bean Theory on Sunday 23 April between 9am-12pm, for a fun event with live music, face painting, coffee, food, and prizes, all donated by other Tewantin businesses.
Investigations are still ongoing into the suspicious fire that began in J and M Tobacco and Gift Store and affected the row of shops on the corner of Hilton Terrace and Earl Street in Tewantin.
The fire which started in the early hours of Good Friday was a savage blow to business owners preparing for one of the busiest holidays in the annual calendar.
Bean Theory cafe owner Jennifer Mendes said they want to help their fellow business owners who have been struggling, but would be coming back stronger than ever.
“We wanted to do a local event, as I think sometimes everyone forgets that Tewantin is here,“ Jennifer said.
“We are all small businesses and within the last three and a half years since I’ve opened my shop, we’ve struggled a lot.
“From Covid to floods and now fires, we’ve been through a lot. We want to show that we are strong, and create some help for the businesses who were affected more than us in the fire.
“I’m still open, I’ve got some damage, but not as much as other businesses.“
Noosaville Fish Market owner Gary Roser, who was able to reopen the next day, said his business lost thousands of dollars of food and about $10,000 in sales on Good Friday, traditionally their biggest trading day of the year.
Tewantin Vets practice manager Sue Reid said it was going to be a long recovery period for them, while Jessica Beveridge from The Groomery said they “may be weeks away from reopening“ and would have to cancel upcoming bookings.
Local artist Jack Raymond will be performing at the event on Sunday.
“We have loads of fantastic prizes that have been donated by our awesome community,“ Jennifer said.
Raffle tickets are available from 18 – 23 April at Bean Theory.
