Burst Pipes Close Popular Dublin Gift Shop, Owner Vows To Rebuild

DUBLIN BOROUGH, PA — The owner of Pineapple on Main is vowing to rebuild after the store suffered significant damage after two waterlines broke last week at the Shops at the Square at 123 North Main Street.

“We will rebuild,” promises owner Kathy Safi, who operates the gift shop specializing in curated items for babies, life, and home. “And when we reopen our doors, it will be with even more gratitude, purpose, and love than before.”

On Feb. 10, while Safi was in New York, a pipe burst in the space above her shop, with water coming through the ceiling and spilling into the store.

“We immediately rushed back, only to find the store blocked off out of concern for the ceiling. I couldn’t go inside, but I could see enough to know there had been significant water damage,” said Safi.

The restoration team began the work of carefully removing the damaged ceiling and affected areas to prevent further issues.

“Watching parts of the store I’ve lovingly built over the past six years come down was truly heartbreaking, but I also understood it was a necessary step toward rebuilding,” said Safi.

While dealing with the aftermath of the pipe break, something "incredibly beautiful" happened, relates Safi. A customer and vendor friend, Sarah, announced the creation of a GoFundMe page to help support the rebuilding of the store.

“I was overwhelmed, not just by the generosity of the donations, but by the prayers, messages, encouragement, and love that poured in from this community,” said Safi. “During what is already one of the slowest seasons in retail, that kindness brought me a sense of comfort and relief I can’t fully explain.”

Sarah, of Dublin, wrote on her GoFundMe page, “Our hearts are with Pineapple on Main, a beloved small business in Dublin, after water damage forced them to close their doors for an undetermined amount of time. Many of you may have seen recent news stories about the flooding and water damage impacting the Dublin Town Center — and sadly, Pineapple on Main was directly affected."

Two pipes ruptured last week, spilling water into Pineapple on Main at the Shops at the Square. Bucks County Arts and Dance also suffered damage. Other businesses at the square managed to escape damage. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The shop, she said, is so much more than a storefront. “It’s a place filled with creativity, kindness, and community — all thanks to its owner, Kathy, who is remarkably generous, supportive, and always willing to give back to others and the community.”

For a small business, an unexpected closure like this is devastating, added Sarah. “Ongoing expenses don’t stop just because the doors are closed, and recovery from water damage can take weeks or months. Every day closed is a significant financial hit, and for small businesses, that impact can be incredibly hard to absorb.”

Sarah added, “If you’ve ever shopped at Pineapple on Main, attended an event, or simply value the importance of small businesses in our community, please consider donating or sharing this page. No amount is too small — every contribution helps bridge the gap while repairs are made and the shop works toward reopening.

“Let’s rally around Kathy and help Pineapple on Main come back stronger. Supporting small businesses means supporting the heart of our town.”

Just as the restoration was getting underway and the GoFundMe account was being launched, a second pipe burst in the space above the store in a different area, again sending water through the ceiling into Pineapple on Main.

“This time, I stood inside and watched as water moved through the space, realizing we were no longer talking about repairs, we were facing a full rebuild,” said Safi. “Fixtures, displays, equipment, and much of the inventory built over years of care will all need to begin again.”

She added, “Every prayer, every message, every offer to help, every donation. They have wrapped our family and this little store in more love than I knew was possible. I am deeply humbled. Truly. And more grateful than I could ever put into words.

“Pineapple on Main has always been about community, about celebrating babies, families, milestones, and everyday moments of joy. And now, in a way I never expected, this community is holding me up," said Kathy. "That is a gift I will carry forever.”