Mendham Businesses Rally Around Those Destroyed By Fire

MENDHAM, NJ— After a fire destroyed part of a Mendham stripmall, local businesses have set up fundraisers to help their neighbors.

Dante's Ristorante and MaJi Hair Design have both pledged to donate a portion of their January proceeds and have set up fundraisers to benefit the destroyed businesses.

Four businesses in the King's Shopping Center were damaged when a garbage truck caught fire Dec. 27, which eventually spread to the building. Country Coffee Shop and Village Pizza were ruined by the fire itself and the Chocolate Shoppe and Aoyama Chinese and Japanese Restaurant were mainly damaged by water.

No one was injured in the fire.

Dante's Ristorante will have a collection jar set up to benefit the businesses, and will match all donations during the month of January. They have also pledged to donate a portion of their sales.

"The fund is primarily for the workers displaced and to help the owners until they are on their feet again," the owners posted on Facebook.

MaJi Hair Design set up a GoFundMe with a goal of $30,000 to benefit the damaged businesses. So far, just over $2,000 has been raised.

"In a time of huge corporations it is the little business owner that puts in blood sweat and tears into a dream," MaiJi's owners wrote on the fundraiser. "It is unimaginable to us to have that dream that came true, destroyed. "

MaiJi has also promised to donate 5% of their January proceeds towards rebuilding efforts.

Dante's Ristorante is located at 100 E. Main St. MaiJi Hair Design is located at 84 E. Main St.

Image via Mendham Fire Department