The Iron Bridge community is rallying to raise funds for a family who lost their store and home in a fire Sunday afternoon. Plaid Pig Food Market is owned and operated by Courtney and Justin Verhey who lived upstairs with their four children.
The family of six were not at home at the time of the blaze but lost everything in the fire. No injuries were reported.
According to Huron Shores Clerk Administrator Debbie Tonelli, the family is believed to be living with nearby relatives.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by family friend Melanie Hinse Gagan has raised more than $32,000 as of early Wednesday with widespread community support.
Members of the Huron Shores Fire Department responded to the fire call at around 2:54 p.m. Sunday to the fully engulfed store and home along Highway 17 in the community.
There were 22 volunteer firefighters from Huron Shores' two fire stations who responded to the massive fire. Firefighters were on scene until 1:20 a.m. Monday, according to Tonelli.
Efforts to contact fire chief Jim Kent to comment on the specifics about the fire and possible cause of the blaze, now under investigation, were unsuccessful.
Plaid Pig Food Market and its owners are well known for selling specialty meat cuts, vegetables, souvenirs and other items. The store also served as an outlet for several local artists to sell their goods.
“We are a full-service grocery store, specializing in store cut meats, local products such as Maple Acres, Cultured Club sauerkraut, and livestock feed,” the store’s Facebook page states.
An update posted to the GoFundMe campaign page indicates that the family is hoping to rebuild the structure and food market operation.
"The support from everyone near and far has been overwhelming. Even though we have lost everything we've ever owned, we've gained more in love and support than we could have ever imagined,” Courtney Verhey posted on the GoFundMe page.
“The way everyone has made us feel so hopeful is keeping us going in such a tragic time in our lives. We want to rebuild the store however we can. We don't know what that looks like yet, but we will try to keep everyone updated as much as we can. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We can't wait to return all the kindness and love we've been shown."