A CITY’S TRIAL BY FIRE
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BREAKING COVENANT HALTS RENOVATION
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FIGHTING IRISH page TAKE DOWN HYACKS
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FRIDAY
OCTOBER 18 2013 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Show provides a revealing look at life in the skin trade, at The Columbia. See Page A18
Brides who lost dresses in fire get lifeline Mario Bartel
photo@newwestnewsleader.com
The Network Hub in the River Market offered office space, and ACORN and Twisted Lime Media took them up on their generosity. Network Hub co-founder Jay Catalan said a third business, Pacific New West Tax, will be moving in temporarily. In addition, Five Stones Church, which was just up Columbia Street from the fire, used the Hub’s meeting room for its Sunday services.
Marisa Wiens had never been to the Golden Brides wedding shop in Downtown New Westminster. In fact, she bought her own wedding dress from a competitor on Columbia Street’s bridal row. But when she heard about last Thursday’s fire that destroyed two heritage buildings, including the one that housed Golden Brides, her thoughts immediately went to the women who’ve suddenly found themselves without their dream gown. She looked at her own dress, packed away in a bag in the closet of her Surrey home for the past three years, and had a brainwave. “Really, my dress is just sitting there,” she thought. “I’d love to donate my own wedding dress.” So she started a Facebook page to put her idea out to other women whose own dresses are similarly packed away, but might be able to salvage a new bride’s big day.
Please see COMMUNITY, A3
Please see RESPONSE, A5
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
Emergency crews stand by at a rolled over truck on the Stewardson Way onramp to the Queensborough Bridge Tuesday, spilling its contents of construction waste onto the eastbound ramp from Marine Way. The accident snarled traffic for hours. See Story Page A3
Blaze doesn’t faze Downtown District is open for business as area recovers from ferocious fire Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
While the heavy smoke from last Thursday’s fire in Downtown New Westminster had people choking the big blaze did not choke off business in the area. That’s the message the area’s Business Improvement Association
(BIA) is trying to get out in the wake of the fire that destroyed three historic buildings along Columbia and Front Streets. Although more than 15 businesses and offices have been affected there are still 300 businesses open and ready to serve customers, said BIA executive director Kendra Johnston. “It’s important to us to let people know that. That’s our fear. Even though it’s been a big loss, there are still places open down here,” said
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Johnston. She added smoke damage affected several businesses across Columbia Street and west of McKenzie, but they were all cleaned up over the weekend and reopened. “It’s amazing how everyone has been coming together and supporting each other,” said Johnston. “It is going to be tough but there’s a lot of positivity in the air. There are a lot of people coming together and helping each other.”
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