Charities, small businesses finding new homes after church fire

Eric Bevans hasn't been able to work since a fire forced him out of his shop last month.

He has a new store and wants to open in a few weeks, but his money is running out and he doesn't know what his insurance will cover.

"I've spent every dime I had to do this," said Bevans, owner of auto modification business, Dr. Smash Fabrication.

The Dec. 2 fire, under investigation as an arson, didn't just hurt the Connected Church of the Nazarene when it destroyed the sanctuary at 900 Mallory Way. Several charities and small businesses had to leave because the building's infrastructure was damaged - and it could be a year before they can come back.

Bevans, 39, said he alone has spent $20,000 moving his business to 6369 Highway 50 East in Mound House. He said he's never been this stressed in his life and the situation is hard for him to talk about.

"It's been a struggle, man," he said.

Disability Action Advocates, a Sparks-based nonprofit that helps people apply for Social Security disability, hasn't even been able to find another office in Carson City yet.

The group had been trying to build up clients in the city, but the situation has made that hard, said Andy Harold, head of the Carson City office. He meets occasionally with possible clients at the Health and Humans Services building but said he wants to find a new office soon.

The dance studio Positive Energy is looking for a building, too, said owner Tamara Holmes.

The business was hurt so much by the situation that it had to ask customers not to ask for refunds for December classes. They have been generous, though, and have supported the business while it finds somewhere new to open.

"It hasn't been easy," Holmes said, "but it hasn't been all that hard."

Others, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, however, have been able to move without problems.

Woods Robinson, head of the city office, said the volunteer group had to clean soot off its equipment and is still waiting to get the computers running, but she is happy at the new location in the basement of the Carson City Children's Museum.

The Connected Church itself now meets at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 405 E. College Parkway.

Bevans, however, is still moving his equipment from the warehouse to his new shop. He has a wife and three children and said he needs to get to work soon.

For something that started as a hobby, then became a dream job, he never thought it would turn out like this.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.