THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 24, 1996 TAG: 9608260281
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 105 lines
Investigators began searching Friday for the cause of a fast-moving fire that flattened most of the city's historic Farmer's Market and destroyed at least eight businesses.
Only a third of the 20-year-old complex of country stores, produce stands and restaurants was spared. The simple wooden structure had become a cultural landmark and pre-dates most of the residential development near the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Dam Neck Road.
A city inspector said the market's remaining portion would have to be razed if the complex is to be rebuilt, but no one would commit Friday to resurrecting it on the current site.
City Manager James K. Spore said the city has long considered relocating the market, but that decision won't be made for weeks or months.
The fire that dashed through the market started around 11:20 p.m. Thursday. At least 45 firefighters worked more than two hours to douse the flames. Firefighters said the building burned like tinder without fire breaks or sprinklers to slow the blaze.
In the market's early years, city farmers peddled produce in the open-air market while bluegrass banjo music and foot-stomping square dancers entertained residents and visitors. The market gradually expanded, but little changed and the country charm remained.
``I can't believe this happened,'' said Karen Mosca, owner of a handcrafted-furniture store named Wooden Creations. Her business was destroyed. ``All of it is gone. There's not a thing left.''
The eight businesses in the inner, horseshoe-shaped part of the market were burned into a pile of smoking cinders. Only the twisted skeleton of steel I-beams poked from the ashes, jutting like a misshapen metal backbone.
The surviving businesses will remain open, city officials said, but events scheduled for tonight have been canceled.
According to a city inventory, the fire destroyed C & J Produce, Joe's Old Fashioned Meat Market, Bergey's Dairy, Hare Farms, Rob's Garden Shop, Wooden Creations, Who's On First, The Lady Peddler and several vacant stalls. Damaged were the market's offices and the Country Kitchen restaurant.
Wispy streams of smoke still seeped from piles of blackened lumber under the hot midday sun Friday, while many merchants assessed the damages.
``When I first saw it, there was nothing. Everything was crushed to the ground,'' said Joe Suraci, who opened Joe's Old Fashioned Meat Market in the complex nearly 18 years ago. ``It was gone in minutes. Unbelievable.''
A damage estimate from fire and city officials put the loss at about $750,000.
Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture Director Louis E. Cullipher said Friday he is trying to find a temporary space where farmers can sell their upcoming pumpkin crops, customers can buy fresh produce and dancers can enjoy the Friday night hoedowns and Saturday night line-dancing parties.
``We're approaching the fall produce season,'' Cullipher said. ``It would have a tremendous impact on our producer farmers and merchants if we don't have some kind of outlet.''
The Farmer's Market was opened in 1976, about a decade after a similar city-backed market near Diamond Springs Road and Northampton Boulevard proved successful.
In the mid-'70s, Princess Anne Road was a rural stretch of little-traveled pavement, not the multi-lane thoroughfare that passes the market now. Then, the market was stocked mainly with fruits and vegetables from local and regional farmers.
Many of the market's merchants struggled to pay rents and bills through the early years, thriving in the summer and struggling in the winter. The market gradually expanded and added stores and a museum in the outer perimeter.
The first fire crews to arrive Thursday night watched helplessly as the fire ravaged the combustible building and raced across the market's roof. In the brief moments it took crews to unload hoses and tap water supplies, most of the damage was done, Fire Department spokesman Chase Sargent said.
Firefighters halted the flames' advance at the south end of the Country Kitchen restaurant about 12:30 a.m. Even so, restaurant owner Ron Kitchen said everything in the business was ruined.
``I lost about $30,000 worth of food,'' Kitchen said. ``There's really nothing left. It's a big loss.''
Kitchen and a crew of friends and employees salvaged pots, pans and anything that could be saved and used to start over. It wasn't much.
``At least I have something to start with,'' he said. ``Many of these people don't.'' MEMO: Staff writer Karen Weintraub contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Martin Grube
At least 45 firefighters worked more than two hours to douse the
flames, top, at the Farmer's Market in Virginia Beach
Color photo by Martin Smith-Rodden
Passers-by, shoppers and shop owners, above, inspect the rubble
Friday morning. The surviving busineses will remain open, but
tonight's events have been canceled.
Photos by PAUL BATES\The Virginian-Pilot file
This overview of the Farmer's Market was taken in October 1991. The
market was moved to the current site in 1976 because the location
was thought to be in a high-growth area of the city.
DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH\The Virginian-Pilot
Without fire breaks or sprinklers to slow the blaze, firefighters
said, the Farmer's Market burned like tinder.
Color Map/The Virginian-Pilot
Area shown: Farmer's Market site of fire
KEYWORDS: FIRE VIRGINIA BEACH FARMER'S MARKET by CNB