Note
The Grand Rapids Press 02 SEP 1998
Business burn; others saved
Fire destroys a clothing store but is kept from spreading to other buildings in the downtown area.
SAUGATUCK
By John Agar
The Grand Rapids Press
Rick Melahn started his specialty clothing store 18 years ago, turning his weekend sweater shop into a thriving business in the busy downtown shopping district of this tourist community.
It all went up in flames Tuesday night in a raging fire that threatened other century-old buildings along Butler Street.
''I'm just glad nothing else burned in this town," said Melahn, owner of Casual Man, Woman, Home and Garden. He and others feared that the fire would spread to Sandbar Saloon and Butler Pantry, two businesses separate from the burning structure by alleys. Firefighters said the businesses didn't appear to sustain fire damage but were probably damaged by heat and water.
Verplank jewelry store, located in the Casual Man building, sustained damage when the ceiling collapsed.
The blaze drew hundreds, many attracted by the thick smoke that covered the city. Later, when the roof of the two story building gave way, bright orange flames roared.
It took nearly three hours to bring the fire under control.
''The potential (for the fire to spread) was tremendous with all the buildings so close together," said Allegan County Sheriff David Haverdinkt also the Hamilton fire chief. ''With these older buildings, the construction type and being remodeled several times, they did a great job.''
Saugatuck-Douglas Police Chief Bill Giles said that was his big concern, that the fire would spread through town.
Police and firefighters closed down much of downtown, which had lost power, and stayed throughout the night until a state police fire marshal could investigate today.
Power was restored to most of downtown today, although police tape still circled the blocks near the fire scene. The Sheriff's Department set up a mobile command center for the overnight stay.
No one was injured, although Bill Galligan, who rented an upstairs apartment the last 16 years, lost everything.
The fire couldn't have come at a worse time for Melahn, just before Labor Day weekend, probably the busiest holiday in Saugatuck except for the Fourth of July.
''We were having probably the best year we were ever going to have in 18 years," Melahn said. "The first block of Butler is probably the most important for retail in Saugatuck.''
He moved to the 3,500-square foot building 15 years ago, after starting in a small shop with a couple of friends. He figured he lost at least $200,000 in inventory. The building, built in 1860 [1901], is owned by one of those friends, Don Poder.
Melahn didn't know the value of the building but said it's likely in the six figures.
The age of the building and renovations done over the years hampered efforts to put out the fire, said Saugatuck Township Fire Chief John Blok, who called in firefighters from Fennville, Ganges, Grafschaap. Hamilton and South Haven.
''It was a real bugger to get at,'' Blok said. ''It was a real danger (to other buildings) until it broke through the roof so we could get at it."
They couldn't get equipment into the narrow alleys to fight the fire from the sides.
The fire call came in at 7:21p.m., and firefighters found the interior engulfed in flames.
Despite water and smoke damage, the Sandbar expected to reopen this morning. An upstairs apartment sustained water damage, but the business survived without significant damage.
''We're a little soggy, but open," said Nancy Lucci, whose father, Nick Pestolis, and uncle, Bill Steininger, own the business.
Casual Man manager Don Kasten and worker Cory Howard had just locked the gates to the alley, and were getting ready to go home when they smelled smoke as they walked back in. In an instant, smoke started billowing, Kasten said.
''It went so fast, it was unbelievable. It scared the hell out of me,"he said.
He didn't know what he would do for work. ''I have a vested interest - it's like a family operation.” Many friends stopped by to share hugs with Melahn and Kasten as they sat on a porch across the street, and watched the blaze.
Galligan, who lost his home and possessions, was eating at nearby Marro's Italian Restaurant when told of the fire.
''I'll go on with my life. I'm just going to have to live somewhere else, and wear these same clothes for a very long time,'' he said.
Dave Lokker, whose parents own Land Shark a block away, said he smelled smoke inside the store and soon heard sirens. Then he heard what sounded like firecrackers and saw power lines snapping from the fire.
Grace Walz, a longtime area resident, couldn't believe the intensity of the fire.
''I'm sorry they can't hold onto what is history, it's just too bad," she said.
Smoke was visible on the north and south entrances to town.
''It was just white smoke rolling, and I'm talking heavy smoke rolling," Walz said. "It was covering a great part of the skyline.”
-Submitted by James T. Faasen, Feb. 2025
