ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — After a small West Michigan store was destroyed by a tornado last year, owners weren't sure if they'd be able to reopen it.
But thanks to the generosity of our customers, that dream will soon become a reality at our new location in Algoma Township, south of Cedar Springs.
On August 24th, Tracy Lampe learned: backyard fun zone She was riding with her husband through Alpine Township, but it was destroyed.
“Almost everything was gone except for one corner of the building,” Lampe said.
devastation From EF1 tornado Local businesses were stunned.
“When he drove by, he called me and said the forklift was outside and the building was gone,” Lampe said.
The business sells playsets, trampolines, and basketball hoops.
New shipments arrived earlier in the day and there was plenty of inventory, but the inventory was torn up and scattered.
“I got a call saying there was a blank bill 11 miles away,” Lampe said.
The insurance they had only covered the exhibits, not the inventory.
“I've never felt that way before,” Lampe said. “It's gone. … What are we going to do?”
Just as I was wondering if this business was going well, something unexpected happened.
“We've had a customer since 2017. He had bought a trampoline and every year we would set it up and take it down. He just happened to call on that Friday.” Lampe said.
When we spoke to them, they said they wanted to come and see what was left.
“He saw the devastation and asked us some questions, like what do we owe the vendor?” Lampe said.
They told him what they planned to do with the business and how the tornado left them uncertain about the future of the business.
“This customer took us out to lunch and said he would give us $50,000 to get us through this situation because we are good people and he We felt we needed to help them,” Lampe said. “And we were just speechless.”
The business is preparing to open April 2 at a new location with an indoor showroom in Algoma Township. 12201 Northland Dr. Near Russell Court. Business hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
The customer who gave the business a second life after its worst day has asked to remain anonymous, but what he did is something the Lampe family will never forget.
“I thank him every day for helping us get through this,” Lampe said.
