HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A fire tore through the Canterbury Green Shopping Center in western Henrico County — devastating several small business owners and the customers who visit weekly.
At around 10 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, the shopping center, located at 10615 Patterson Avenue, caught fire, resulting in “quite an extensive loss,” according to Henrico County Division of Fire officials.
“I was just shocked and honestly speechless for most of the day. It’s just not something you expect is going to happen.” said Brady Zizzo, owner of Annie Mae & Wes, one of the businesses damaged in the fire. “I started this company once before, so I’ll just do it again.”
Zizzo said her main concern is her 16 employees who are now without jobs.
“That’s my biggest priority is making sure that the people that I’m responsible for are taken care of,” she said.
The shopping center in known for its “mom-and-pop shops.” Zizzo said that, even though her and her fellow business owners are taking in the loss, moving forward is the only option.
“Just complete disbelief initially, still, honestly,” said Zizzo. “So, I’m just kind of trying to figure out what to do from here, trying to make sure that we can find a space and materials and equipment we need to get going again, so that I can have my staff be at work.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
