Fundraiser Started To Rebuild Duluth Bee Business Destroyed By Fire
Miel is a family-owned bee business in Duluth that has been operating since 2010 and over the weekend, a fire destroyed years of inventory. According to FOX 21 News, the fire broke out early Saturday morning in co-owner Mark Walter's basement, where production takes place and inventory is stored.
Co-owner Vanessa Roer, who is Walter's daughter, estimates that $20,000 worth of product was destroyed, in terms of retail value, plus all the raw materials and ingredients to make their beeswax-based products, and all their production equipment.
The family is in shock, but they are doing their best to stay positive and rebuild. Also, a GoFundMe page has been started on behalf of the family with the hope that the Northland community will help with that trying and costly process.
The page states that Walters suffered minor injuries during the fire and thankfully their business office mascot, Piso the cat, was safe & unharmed. While they are looking for financial donations, other things would also be a great help:
Right now we are hoping our community can come together to help us with items needed for cleanup. This will be a long recovery for the entire Miel family & everyone impacted by this tragedy. We would greatly appreciate things such as:
Dumpsters, trash bags, & plastic storage bins. Protective gear such as respirators or face masks, gloves, & goggles. We will also accept gift cards for food, tools, clothing & personal items, etc. For any item donations, please reach out to Vanessa
I have created this to help offset inevitably hefty funds accrued during this tough time. All monies will be distributed to Mark Walters & Vanessa Roers (Mark's daughter/business owner/finance manager) to place costs where most needed.
Organizers have set an initial fundraising goal of $10,000. They also want to thank Miel supporters for helping them through the loss of Mark's wife, Sharilyn Walters, less than two years ago.