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Cause still under investigation in Mackinaw IGA fire
By Bob Holliday
bholliday@pantagraph.com
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MACKINAW — The cause of a fire that destroyed the Mackinaw IGA remained under investigation Thursday, but a spokeswoman for the state fire marshal’s office said foul play isn’t suspected. | Video | Photo gallery | User-submitted photos | Submit your photos

Januari Smith said the fire began Wednesday in the basement of the grocery store, but it hasn’t been determined what started it.

Both Smith and Mackinaw Deputy Police Chief Bob Davies said no damage estimate was available Thursday.

Although the fire reduced the town’s only grocery store to rubble, no injuries were reported.

Smith said a state fire marshal investigator was on the scene Thursday, but she didn’t know when the investigation would be completed.

Davies said firefighters left the scene about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday but returned Thursday when there was a flare-up.

Davies is among those who will miss the store.

“My wife goes up there at least once a day,” he said, adding she might now go to the nearby Minier Foods, which also belongs to Mackinaw IGA owner Brett Zehr and his wife.

Davies said Zehr has been steadfast in his determination to rebuild.

Zehr and Fire Chief Paul Miller could not be reached for comment Thursday.

A manager at the Minier store said Thursday that Mackinaw residents have already been making the eight-mile trip to shop at her store.

“We had people come in last night and today,” Manager Barb Swanson said.

Swanson said home delivery to Mackinaw might be possible because the Minier store already delivers to Hopedale, about six miles away. The Mackinaw store had several home-delivery clients, Zehr said previously.

Like Zehr, who worked at the Mackinaw store as a teenager and bought it about 14 years ago, Swanson lives in Mackinaw. She said the fire is a major loss for the town, where residents considered the grocery a gathering place.

Shoppers inside the grocery store smelled smoke about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, and Mackinaw Police Chief Gary Hartzell said smoke was seen coming from the basement.

Firefighters from Mackinaw, Tremont, Minier and Morton battled the blaze at its peak, and by Wednesday afternoon, much of the store had collapsed.

Zehr is a volunteer firefighter for Mackinaw. He responded to the call to the fire station, but he didn’t go to the scene.

The Mackinaw store employed about 40 full- and part-time workers whereas the Minier store has about 25, Swanson said.

“We hope we can help out,” she said.
Take a look
Firefighters spray water on the remains of the IGA grocery store in downtown Mackinaw on Wednesday afternoon. Flames destroyed most of the town's only grocery store. (The Pantagraph/David Proeber)
The Mackinaw IGA is seen in flames at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in this user-submitted photo. (For The Pantagraph/Brandy Reese). For more user-submitted photos, click here.
The Mackinaw IGA grocery store is seen at the corner of Main Street and Fast Avenue in this undated photo from Google Maps' Street View feature. The store was destroyed in a fire Wednesday. (Screen grab)
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Reader comments on this story - 18 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Concerned Mom wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:54 PM:

" We live in Minier and frequent our IGA all the time. The Zehrs are wonderful people and have worked very hard to keep these stores going. They deliver groceries to seniors and have kids working there who carry your groceries to your car for you. The customer service is one of a kind. They employ alot of the local kids and are very good to them. Anything that we can do for our Mackinaw neighbors count us in!!! "

truthiness wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:59 AM:

" So..... Mackinaw, IL has Streetview... but Bloomington-Normal doesn't!? THAT's logical.

Kudos on the Streetview pic, great idea! "

ellen wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:31 AM:

" To so what: Above the store, I think, were a break room and offices for the store. They remodeled that area not too long ago; I think just a few years ago. "

so what wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:06 AM:

" Does anyone know what was housed above the grocery store? Was it apartments or storage? "

What3v3r wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:10 AM:

" Growing up in Mackinaw the IGA was everything to that community. Frank Fowler was Mackinaw in my book and while I haven't been a part of the village since the Zehr family purchased it, it sounds like Bret is doing his best to fill his shoes... If a donation drive or fund is started I would be interested in hearing about it. "

62 wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:51 AM:

" This is a sad day for Brett, his employees, and Mackinaw. Has always been a great "hometown" store, even before Brett owned it. Glad to hear he plans to rebuild, only hope building is positioned so that there is off street parking at new store like at his store in Minier. "

Robin86 wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:17 AM:

" Hope it is rebuilt soon, a lot of people depend on the IGA. I used to work at the store and Brett was the nicest boss I've ever had. "

mompeek3 wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:04 AM:

" Such a sad deal! Our hearts go out to the entire Zehr family. They are such caring people. They have lots of memories in the IGA and I am sure they will make many new ones in the new IGA. Hang in there Brett, Chris and kids we are all there for you!! "

lore63 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:58 PM:

" My heart and prayers go out to this family and their employees , having grown up in that area I know what the IGA was to the community, Brett has helped so many people and I am sure the community will rally around him. You will be in our prayers. To the poster talking about how long this store has been there I am 45 and it was there when I was born and was not new, not sure how long exactly it has been open but has always had hometown people own it. "

bookerc1 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 6:23 PM:

" The Zehr's are our friends and neighbors, and my heart just breaks for the loss they've suffered! The IGA truly was the heart of the community, and it seems every time someone gave directions to anywhere in Mackinaw, they started at the IGA. I am so glad to hear that they intend to rebuild. They are a wonderful, giving family, and I know the community will pull together around them! They've touched so many lives! "

dilligaf wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:55 PM:

" What a shame that was such a good little country store. Our hearts go out to the owner and the employee's who worked there. My sighificant other said that he remembers it when Frank Fowlers owned it. So it had been around a long time, that was back in the 50's. We sure hope that you can rebuild soon.
Thank God no one was hurt. "

justme32 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 4:38 PM:

" What a shame! My prayers go out to the owners, as well as the employees. Not only was this the only store for Mackinaw, but many of us in Danvers frequented this store, as we do not have one. It will be a great loss for the entire area. I am praying they will have the ability to rebuild! "

michelle24 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 4:17 PM:

" Yeah, I'm with dwarf---Totally amazing picture David. Way to capture the essence of the scene. I too hope it will be rebuilt stronger and better! (if it could be any better) Stay strong Zehr family. It sounds like you have a lot of love and support with you! :) "

dwarf wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:18 PM:

" Holy cow. Once again, another amazing photograph, guys.

It looks like a painting.

I know it's a tragic event, but... Good job. "

mharper wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:57 PM:

" We enjoyed shopping there for the weekly specials - my children always knew where the suckers were kept. Our hearts and prayers are with Brett and his family and staff. "

johnny bravo wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:47 PM:

" hate to hear this - the owner's and employees were always so nice. I used to live in Mackinaw and would shop there all the time. I had to drive through recently for work and stopped there just to give them my business. Hope they can rebuild because they will be greatly missed. "

floyd wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Not most. It's gone! "

jack in the box wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:01 PM:

" What a loss to a small town. Hope Brett can rebuild and come back strong. "
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