?Come to Newburyport on Wednesday July 20th to eat, drink, shop, listen to some great live music – and support businesses damaged by a fire downtown last month. That day, dozens of restaurants, like Brine and Agave, and retailers/service providers like Interlocks and Port Plum, are donating a percentage of their profits in support of FiredUp NBPT, an event intended to help employees who are out of work because of the blaze, and to meet other expenses not covered by insurance. On top of it, the Firehouse Center for the Arts (a BONS winner) will host an open house of musical entertainment for a suggested donation of $25 and raffle off some terrific prizes.
An early morning fire started by a cigarette in the mulch outside Abraham’s Bagels June 28th quickly spread, drawing assistance from multiple neighboring firehouses. One firefighter was injured battling the four-alarm blaze, but good firewalls contained most of the damage to the beloved bagel shop, which will be closed indefinitely. Neighboring businesses suffered as well — Buttermilk Baking Co., barely in its new space for a month, has been shuttered since the blaze but hopes to reopen ahead of the event, while Haul Over, Newburyport, has lost all its summer merchandise due to smoke and soot.
All over town, citizens were immediately searching ways to help, says Mayor Donna Holaday. “Within 24 hours of the fire, a team of business owners, the Chamber, those impacted by the fire and other concerned residents were at City Hall, meeting to figure out how to be most helpful,” says the mayor.
The event is quickly coming together, with support across the city. A who’s who of the area is participating, from local favorites Liz Frame and the Kickers headlining the Firehouse open house to dozens of businesses, from long-timer Michael’s Waterfront to newcomer The Poynt and even Orange Leaf.
For details on participating businesses, search Facebook for #FiredUpNBPT or visit firehouse.org/see-a-show/82-firedupnbpt-a-community-unites