Hippie Haven open mini-store for Christmas on the Terrace after the Mercantile building was burnt in blaze

A locally owned clothing shop forced to close after significant damage caused by a blaze in September has reopened a mini-store in the historic building three months on. Part of the two-storey Mercantile Club building, built between 1893 and 1910, was leased by the Hippie Haven for nine-years, while a darts club hosted games on the top-storey. The popular clothing and gift store was established 23 years ago, and was forced to close after a fire was allegedly sparked by Utakarra woman Casey Shaelene Woods, 27, on September 7. The out-of-control blaze left a damage bill over $700,000. Department of Fire and Emergency Services received the alert at 10.45pm and six crews fought the blaze for two-hours after it spread from the back of the building throughout the second-storey. The blaze was contained by midnight and caused smoke damage to most of the store’s stock. Geraldton detectives say Hippie Haven have provided an insurance quote of $120,000 for lost contents and stock. Hippie Haven owners Tracey Pluschke and Karen Shanks opened a smaller store next door to their former outlet on December 8. Ms Shanks said the store opened the day of Christmas on the Terrace, one of the City’s biggest events, after a series of electrical delays. “It was a drama on the Monday, it was just set-back after set-back and then by Thursday the electricity was up and running,” she said. “We’ve had three months to get organised in the dark, but we made it.” Ms Pluschke understood the damaged section of the building would be repaired, but would remain shut for “a little while”. “They will repair it. They’ll repair it to a state where you can go back in there, but how long that will take is another matter,” she said. Ms Shanks said although they were insured, the loss of income and clientele hit the hardest. “The history of the business was worth more, the loss of income since we haven’t been trading has been huge. We’re calling it the mini Hippie for now, until we can get a larger shop,” she said. The owners thanked their customers for their patience and community support and said they would continue doing their best with the resources available to them. “People don’t realise how much we lost because of one silly act,” Ms Pluschke said. “We’re lucky that we’ve got this for a little bit of Christmas trading.” Ms Woods, who has yet to enter a plea, is remanded in custody and due to reappear in court on January 12.