Natick Stores Lost In Fire Get Help From Local, State Agencies

NATICK, MA — Natick's business community is still healing two weeks after a devastating fire ripped through eight stores on Natick Common. The businesses, all located either on South Main Street and between Pond Street and West Central Street, were completely leveled by the fire. Local nonprofits like the Natick Center Cultural District and state officials, including Governor Charlie Baker, are pitching in to help the store owners start over.

On Friday, Gov. Baker's administration announced it will offer a $400,000 emergency loan fund for businesses directly impacted by the July 22nd fire in Natick. Eligible businesses can immediately apply for loans from $5,000 to $50,000, with no payments for the first 30 days.

“We are committed to helping Natick businesses rebuild after the devastating South Main Street fire,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Beyond the initial cleanup, we recognize that financial support is essential to their long-term recovery and hope this emergency fund will provide necessary aid during this difficult time.”

The emergency fund came after the Natick Center Cultural District arranged two meetings with state officials and other groups for the businesses destroyed or affected by the fire.

“MetroWest is a generous and caring community, including the many Chamber member businesses and organizations who jumped in to help respond to the fire in Natick,” said Katherine Garrahan, Board Chair of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce. “SMOC was at the front of the line to help – thank you to SMOC, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, and state and local officials who responded without hesitation to create the Natick Small Business Emergency Loan Fund.”

In addition to the emergency loan fund, the Natick Center Cultural District raised over $25,000 and expects the number to rise. "Middlesex Savings Bank and Needham Bank and MutualOne donated large amounts but also the local community has been extremely generous as well," said Natick Center Cultural District Executive Director Athena Pandolf.

The nonprofit isn't done raising money for the businesses. An online auction is set to last through early next week, with local businesses donating items and services to help raise funds. The auction is aptly named "We Burn Brighter."

Among the items and services being auctioned is a tour of the Statehouse with Rep. David Linksy, a Dave & Buster's gift card, four tickets to the House of Blues, a Roku Premeire and embroidered Natick hand towels. There are 86 items in total being auctioned off.

Pandolf said businesses are working on relocating, like MetroPets and the Christian Science Reading Room but Nancy Kelley, King Wok and IronHorse are still deciding what will work best for them in their situation.

Several local businesses offered their own shops as space to those owners who lost theirs in the fire and a few GoFundMe pages emerged to help keep owners afloat.