Local business store in downtown fire looking for answers

Jacob Zavala’s store, like many other businesses, were affected by the Brooks Jewelry Building fire last week. They ‘ve lost thousands of dollars every day. That’s because the city of El Centro red-tagged the building in dear that it may collapse. It’s prevented many business owners from opening their doors to customers.

With all the water damage from putting out the fire on the top floor of the building, the condition of Zavala’s business is unknown.

For the last three years, Zavala and his family spent everything they had on their printing and embroidery store. “Man our whole life pretty much everything we’ve invested is inside that place. It’s a hard blow,” said Zavala.

Zavala had renovated the store to bring it back to its former glory. “You know the high ceilings. Re-did the tin. I mean this is one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown El Centro you know. We took pride in it,” said Zavala.

Friends started a Gofundme page for the store helping Zavala and his employees until they can get back on their feet. “You know a lot of people from my church, First Baptist, and other business owners have really reached out because they know and a lot of people have seen us. What we’ve been through to get to this point in business,” Zavala said.

Zavala said he’s picking up the pieces and rebuilding elsewhere. “That’s our main goal. And just get back in business. We have a lot of jackets that kids are waiting on,” added Zavala.

El Centro Council member Jason Jackson said they’re doing the best they can to help businesses get their necessities in the building. “This is a big impact to their business. And every day that they’re closed they’re losing revenue, potentially losing customers,” said Jackson.

But an independent contractor has already deemed the building as a disaster that’s just waiting to happen. El Centro Fire Department Battalion Chief Cedric Cesena said, “He went into the building but then decided to back out. Based on some of the damage that he noted, obviously, he was concerned that the building was unstable for him to be in there.”

City officials will continue to discuss what to do with the Brooks Jewelry Building that might just be beyond repair and how they plan to further help the businesses impacted by it at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.