NEW Reliquaire premises could open in weeks in a bid to get the owners of the fire-ravaged toy and gift store at Latrobe back on their feet - emotionally and financially.
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Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney said on Monday that he had met with the Christie family, owners of Reliquaire, to talk about four possible sites for an interim store to be established.
Cr Freshney said the council had worked since Christmas Eve to support those affected by the fire that destroyed Reliquaire and also closed Prinella Woolley's fire-damaged business, Shadows Cafe, next door.
Both the business owners have been waiting on the insurance assessors to view the fire sites.
Reliquaire was destroyed in the $3 million fire which is believed to have been sparked by a faulty switchboard.
Owner Sylvia Christie has spoken of how the family had put their heart and soul into building Reliquaire into a unique shop and tourist attraction.
Mrs Christie said on the day of the fire that Reliquaire could be under insured because of the value of all the new stock in the store.
The Christie family had been living at Reliquaire, but thankfully moved out into a new home in Hamilton Street about six months ago.
"The greatest loss has been the personal loss, the building we worked so hard on, the business we built up over the last 21 years, and the memories of our family home with our two daughters," Mrs Christie said.
"Some of our products are replaceable, but many are not. We had a lot of one-off and limited edition dolls and other items that cannot be replaced, but we are looking to the future with hope of finding more unique pieces."
The Christie family has turned to crowd funding after it was suggested as a possible way to help get the shop trading again. More than $3000 has been donated in the past two days
Mrs Christie said the family was grateful for all the support received since the fire.
"We have received an overwhelming amount of love and support from the community, for which we are very grateful," Mrs Christie said.
Meanwhile, Cr Freshney said the Reliquaire site would continue to be watered down by council to keep it damp and minimise the escape of any contaminants or dust until the insurance company decided how it would proceed.
Cr Freshney said he understood a decision was being made on Monday afternoon to award a contract to clear the site.
