Hit Hard by Irene, Rhodadendron Reopens

On Monday, Rhodadendron officially opened its doors again for the first time since August, completing its recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

"Everyone's so happy we're back open," said owner Rhoda Gennarelli.

Word of the reopening came over the past weekend, and folks who came by to look were so interested that the Chappaqua store ended up selling to them.

"I have trouble saying no," Gennarelli, a Chappaqua resident, said.

Damaged by flooding, Rhodadendron's geographic exposure to Irene was somewhat different than other businesses hit by water damage. Situated at 144 King Street, the store is along the road's sloping hill. When Irene resulted in a loss of power to the building, the sump pump stopped working, which allowed for flood water to come down from the hill.

With extensive damage, Genarrelli had to get a massive renovation done. She did not think the recovery would take as long and spent part of it dealing with insurance.

"We replaced everything," she said, including carpeting, furniture and paint.

The rebuilding of the interior was allowed for Rhodadendron to expanding its offering of clothes, while its jewelry inventory is roughly the same, according to Genarrelli.

Julie Fiderer, Chappaqua, came in Monday afternoon and was excited to return.

"There was a void in the town without her being here," she said.

Fiderer added, "the news spread like wild fire."

Despite the temporary loss of the Chappaqua store, all was not lost for Genarrelli this fall. She also sells merchandise through various college book stores, operations known as pop-ups, and was still able to focus on them.