Hill Township, NJ, Nov. 6--A landmark furniture store has been devastated by fire and neighbors hope it will rise from the ashes one day soon, according to the Randolph Reporter.
The blaze burned through the roof of the S.T. Bryant Furniture & Carpet store on Thursday, Oct. 30, damaging most of the 78-year-old landmark's merchandise.
Richard Conroy, Mine Hill's fire chief, said the cause of the blaze was undetermined.
Most of the damage was to the store's attic, said Conroy, but smoke and water damaged other parts of the building, as well.
"There was heavy smoke and water damage throughout the building," said Conroy.
The fire was reported at 4:07 a.m., and firemen had the blaze under control by 6 a.m.
The store was owned and operated by the McDougal and Bryant families, and has been open for 78 years, according to Mayor Richard Leary.
Leary said Bryant's was commonly known as the number one furniture store in Morris County.
"They were rated as Morris County's best furniture company for quite a number of years," said Leary.
Leary said part of what made Bryant's so reputable was the personal touch the store offered, in addition to selling the highest quality furniture.
Ted McDougal, who married into the Bryant family and now runs the store, declined to comment.
Immediately surrounding Bryant's, owners of other stores were shocked.
John Knuth, the owner of Chem Clean Furniture Restoration, said he hopes the Bryants can rebuild, because they have been in the same location for such a long time.
"I've refinished furniture that they sold 50, 60 years ago," said Knuth. "It's a shame. I feel terrible for them. Bryant's has been there forever."
