OUR STORY

FIRE STORY - by DANNY KNIGHT

I arrived early to get the staff donuts and coffee for a salon color class we were having. My friends at Dunkin Donuts knew just how I liked my coffee. Good! Buck, my cleaning guy did a nice job.

Monday, Monday what would the day bring? I open a letter from the landlord. I seem to recall that letter saying something like; "Dear Mr. Knight the HVAC was nearly 30 years old. We had to replace it and according to your lease you will have to pay for it. But, because you have been a faithful tenant for 20 years, we will take care of it and figure out how you can pay us back the $6,000.00 that included installation. Bla, bla, bla? Oh yes, how is the new grease duct we ran through your salon last month looking? Thank you for your cooperation and I hope the contractor cleaned up the mess for you. The new Latino grill right below you is supposed to open this Thursday?" Meanwhile, I was thinking, "I have a washer/dryer on the fritz, let's add that to the list too?

I had an early color class at the salon this particular morning. The color class was nearly over. I ran next door to the liquor store to get bottled water for our guest colorist. I couldn't help noticing a young man arguing on his cell phone and pacing back and forth on the sidewalk. He was staring right at me. I just nodded and gave a tight-lipped smile and kept walking as to not agitate him. I thought nothing more of it. We always seem to have a few people hanging around the liquor store just waiting for it to open. Oh yeah, today is Presidents Day, February 19th 2007. Now, our salon was red hot. We had just completed a Framesi "reds" color class. We were excited to try out our new colors. We're opened for business. I kissed my wife good-bye and left to run errands for a few hours before my first client.

Twenty minutes later, a single gunshot was heard at the salon. Police cars came screeching in front of the center. Policeman nervously scoped up sniper rifles. Then an officer opened the Salon door and yelled in "lock the doors and no one leave. Stay Down!" It was like a "stand off" in a movie. The liquor store next to the salon was being robbed. The gunman was shooting from inside of the liquor store at the officers out side. Thankfully, none of the officers were injured. The S.W.A.T team arrived surrounding the building.

Still inside the salon were four employees, one educator and one customer. My wife Pam and my brother Curtis were among those who remained at the salon. Pam called me from the salon phone in a panic to inform me as to what was going on. I told her to remain calm and to stay away from the front window. She said she could see smoke. A S.W.A.T member with a gas mask then rushed up to the front door frantically knocking. Pam told me she would call right back. She unlocked the front door and the officer said "Everyone out right now! Leave everything! Keep you heads down and run to the officers across the street."

It was now apparent the building was on fire. Once across the street, Pam called me again using the salon wireless phone. I was already in route back to the salon. She was crying saying "Oh my God the building is on fire. I can hear explosions! I don't know if Greg got out." Greg was the owner of "Jim's" the liquor store. I tried to be as reassuring as possible, saying, "The firemen will contain the fire and we will reopen tomorrow." As I said those words I saw a stream of smoke ahead on the horizon. I knew it was serious. I could no longer hear Pam crying. The phone was dead. The salon telephone wires melted in the fire. I began to pray to God, please let Greg be OK and let them contain the fire. And please protect my business.

I was now seeing major smoke as I approached the exit. Traffic was at a crawl as helicopters were flying overhead. I sped down the back way and parked at the Roy Rogers across the street. I could not believe my eyes. My eyes were affixed on the huge fire and I ran across the street in the salon parking lot and a policeman said, "Do you want to get shot? Get behind the tape." I was standing in front of a dozen officers with their rifles pointing at me. I was whisked out of the line of fire and was told the gunman was still inside, and had set the liquor store on fire. I saw Greg being questioned and thankfully he was all right. Since the gunman had fired shots at the officers, the fire marshal and police detective weren't taking any chances of getting the firemen shot. The Fire Marshall and police decided to let it burn until the gunman died or surrendered.

The fire burned out of control. I stood on a snow bank and watched as my salon collapsed in front of my eyes. It was bitter cold. I started looking for my wife, my brother and staff. I located them in the coffee shop across the street. I embraced her with all my strength when I found here Pam said, "I didn't even have time to get the deposit bag, purses, cell phones, coats or anything! It's all gone!"

My brother and I went back over to assess the damage. The firemen had moved in but the fire had taken the whole top floor. We could hear hairspray cans exploding. My brother and I said a little prayer thanking God no one was hurt. It was confirmed that the gunman died of smoke inhalation and no one else was further injured. The gunman was the guy I saw on the cell phone earlier that morning. The entire thirteen-tenant shopping center was destroyed. The salon was gone!

As we stood around the smoldering embers that night, someone came up to me and said, "Your salon was not the stuff that burned up; it was the people, the stylists, the shampoo help, receptionists, and the customers. You do have contents insurance right?" Yes, in those words I felt some relief. I thought to my self "I'll call first thing tomorrow and find out how much my coverage is". Pam and I didn't sleep a wink that night and many nights to come. Pam had the salon phone calls forwarded to my home phone the very next day. Pam and I have dealt with this same insurance company for over ten years. She called to inform the insurance company about the fire and to if see when an adjustor could come so we could file what would have been our one and only claim.

I heard her say "What? That's impossible, why didn't you let us know?" I felt my stomach drop. She said, "Please check you records again. Why didn't you notify us? We had no idea you had cancelled our policy." We truly had no idea whatsoever! Everything became so real. The computer's hard drive was running during the fire and was damaged beyond repair. My back up files were on the premises and they too were destroyed. The safe was partially opened and its contents were destroyed. Everything but the clothing on our backs was gone in one afternoon. The next couple days were a blur. Hundreds of phone calls, e-mail, letters, interviews. It was like a family member died. I called our bank and asked the bank to confirm that the last payment of the insurance coverage period had been missed. All made but the last one. How did this happen? Still a mystery. My family, friends, and even customers made donations that with a little savings covered the deposit burned in the fire. We even had enough to cover the next week of revenues that would be lost.

The first of several offers came from Renaissance Salon and Spa. One of the owners had called to extend an invitation to the entire Soft Images salon to share space in their large salon. Pam and I couldn't believe what was happening. Within days of the incident we had ten or more salons opening up their doors to us. Pam and I decided we didn't have any other choice but to consider the offers. My small little staff of nine met at the scene of the fire to discuss these unusual offers. I walked away to take a phone call and overheard my staff making a pact to stay together no matter what. The staff was filled with anxiety and tears of all that was lost dryers, shears, clipper, how would they replace it all.

A dear friend of ours came up with a fundraiser idea called "the shear relief fund." People could donate money to the stylist of their choice for the purpose of replacing their equipment. Some of them did OK and some didn't. We replaced as many of the shears as we could in order to get them started. About the third day after the fire we were just drained. My wife was distraught, I was exhausted, My 14 year old son was staying home from school to answer phone calls, and take messages. I was praying constantly for God to help me figure this whole thing out. Pam was suffering from posttraumatic syndrome and was prescribed some drugs to help calm her. I could see I was losing "my right hand". I remember looking into her teary eyes and pleading, "Pam, we need to pull ourselves together, and try to be positive. I cannot do this without you. It's bigger than both of us. I need you now more than ever." She was so sweet. She wiped her tears away and said "I love you and I'm right here with you." I knew right then that everything was somehow going to be alright.

I started visiting salon after salon meeting old salon friends in our community and new salon owners I had never met before. Now I was seeing my competition in a brand new way. Telling the story over and over, we shared tears and the hope that we would recover. We narrowed down the choices according to the size of the salon and the amount or rent I would have to pay. Getting the staff to agree was impossible. I let my wife make the best out of three choices. She chose Renaissance, the largest, most beautiful and newest salon in Frederick. This wasn't going to be easy but, this was an answered prayer. I would end up losing 20% of my customer base in the shuffle and my entire retail center. We would be working in the color chairs in "the gallows" near the shampoo area. We were so out of our element it was crazy! Adam, one of the owners, helped us set up baker's shelves in the large lunchroom for our color and professional supplies. My brother, Dean and cousin, Andy donated a new computer and we were up and running seven days later.

I received hundreds of cards and e-mails from customers saying the nicest things you could ever hear about yourself and salon. It was so humbling. I would just cry reading them. You just don't have any idea how in our industry, we impact people everyday of our lives. The way I best describe - It was almost like attending your own funeral.

I lost an estimated $100,000 worth of replaceable stuff. Looking back now it doesn't seem like much. At the time it was insurmountable. When asked "How did you get through this experience" I say, "I rediscovered my faith in people, God and relationships." I embraced my faith, family, employees, customers, and even competitors.

This past spring on a Friday evening four of my staff members walked up to me and said we need to talk to you right after work. I finished up what I was doing and met them next door at Champions. One of them nervously said "I am opening my own salon in a week and I'm taking these hairdressers with me." I felt a bit sick to my stomach, a little angry, and betrayed. After the emotions subsided and the air cleared I knew that they were just moving on. That's just what people do. I couldn't take it personaly, I needed to move forward and to focus on the new here and now. My salon was cut in half and a new salon was born. I wish them well and we all have moved on.

I love my town. Almost for two years since the fire, I have combed through it, looking for the right scenario for my unique small business. It is so much easier to relocate a smaller group. I was so close on several different properties. I looked at South Street where the Black Hog is, Antique Station TJ Drive, 605 Bentz Street, La Petite on South Market, and many more! I just kept trusting that I was being led somehow to a scenario that would make perfect sense. This deal would have the all the missing pieces. Like several times before, I was so close to closing a deal on South Market Street. Then... a not so small voice spoke to me at the last minute. It was Pam (my wife) She said "Danny I hate to say it but, I couldn't sleep thinking about it. I just didn't have peace about it." I said "OK, why didn't you say so earlier? I completely trust your instinct." This time she said "How about GiGi? We are smaller now, the space could work. Is she interested in doing something?" I was talking to GiGi on and off, she was a former employee who had her own small salon and she and her husband had been struggling with business like a lot of us smaller businesses have as of lately. She and I always had good chemistry. I had Cutis and Lauren (my right and left hands) look at it. They loved it! I got together with Mike (GiGi's husband) we came up with "lease with a purchase option" that would meet both of our needs. Mike and GiGi were so easy to work with. Wonderful folks!

Here we are! It seems like it took forever but, we have finally found the location, the home we had been looking for! Soft Images on 325 W. Seventh Street, Frederick MD gives our customers a cool, cozy little shop. They too have been hoping and praying through this journey. So thanks to Soft Images customers, to Mike & GiGi, my Staff, Renaissance Salon and thanks to God for delivering his blessing! We all have arrived! For the first time ever I have a real 15 year plan. Life is Good! God is Good! THE SALON IS AWESOME!

Written by,
Danny Knight
Soft Images Salon
301-694-3480