Malden Market raising funds for new roof

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Jul 27, 20170

Malden's first new business in a quarter of a century is in need of some repairs. Malden Market owner Karena Wilcox has started a crowdfunding page on YouCaring to raise money to fix the ceiling, which has dry rot and is caving in.

“I'm not here to make a fortune, just fix up our little town,” Wilcox stated.

Currently, Wilcox has plastic on the roof and inside the ceiling after the previous ceiling collapsed before the store was opened in May. Since that time, the leaky roof has caused some damage to the store's inventory.

The goal of the fundraiser is $3,000. That money would be used to tear off the rotten roof above the original garage and attach 2x4 or 2x6 runners down to the existing beams. Corrugated metal would be attached to that, and the screw holes would be filled with silicone caulking. Wilcox would also like to replace the ceilings over the entry and bathroom to protect those areas from moisture.

Ideally, Wilcox would like to replace the entire roof, but that would cost about $15,000, so she has identified the areas with the most need for initial repairs.

Fundraising efforts began with the Malden Market's car show earlier in the month. Donations from that event were about $80 which was not even enough to cover the cost of the event insurance and porta potty rental.

Anyone interested in donating can mail in money to Malden Market, PO Box 192, Malden, WA 99149 or go online to https://www.youcaring.com/maldenmarket-881608.

Wilcox noted she would also take donations of supplies or just volunteer help once she has everything together. She expects a work party would be some time after harvest and Labor Day.