Fonk's fire:

On March 17, a three-alarm fire burned the interior and roof of the Fonk’s building to the ground. While Fonk’s Coffeehouse has been deemed unsafe to enter, two other businesses on Main Street, Leftovers and Whitman Family Dentistry, may be safe to enter, but also received substantial smoke and water damage that has affected business operations.

“Currently, we can’t be in the store for very long periods of time because of the smoke damage,” said co-owner of Leftovers, Mary Davidson. “We just finished with inventory this past week. Next will be clearing things out and cleaning from the smoke damage.”

Davidson said there are some items that can’t be cleaned from smoke damage, like homemade pieces. These items will most likely be disposed of.

Along with smoke damage to the building and furniture inside, Davidson said there was extensive water damage as well.

“With the water damage in the basement the things down there we will most likely be throwing those items out,” Davidson said. “There was water damage in the walls, floors, ceiling, as well, so all of those will need to be taken out and redone.”

While doing inventory Davidson was able to find items that are able to be cleaned and fixed. “I’m relieved that the library we took over there is able to be cleaned,” she said.

While progress is being made it will still be a couple of months before Leftovers is up and running again.

“We will have to move all the inventory out first, then have them redo everything, then move everything back in,” Davidson said. “It will definitely look different when we get going again.”

Davidson expressed her gratitude towards all those in the community who have offered to help during this time.

“We appreciate the people and the community for its support and look forward to opening again in the summer,” Davidson said.

Owner of Whitman Family Dentistry, Matt Mellor, said the main damage to their office space was water in the basement.

“Fortunately, it was only in the basement with the water damage and the other floors only needed to be cleaned and have the HEPA and Hydroxyl air machines that help to pull the smoke from the air,” Mellor said.

Even with this damage, Mellor said if they could they would be up and running as normal, but because of the coronavirus that isn’t the case.

“Currently, we are limited to only seeing patients on an emergency basis or if there are any urgent needs,” Mellor said. “It has been and will be a huge hit to us for a while. I feel terrible for our hygienists, dental assistants and front staff as we have been shut down for almost three weeks now.”

In an emergency memo from Gov. Jay Inslee, all non-urgent medical procedures are suspended until May 18. The “Stay Healthy, Stay Home” order is in effect until May 4, but Mellor and his staff won’t be able to resume until two weeks after that.

Whitman Family Dentistry is also currently in the process of constructing its new location on W Fairview Street, but it halted on operations at this new site.

“The state has also shut down construction around the state including our new practice, so our initial plan to be in our new facilities will be delayed,” Mellor said. “Not sure how long that will delay the move until the state gets back to work and we can reassess.”

Mellor said even though this isn’t how he envisioned his first year of running a dental practice to go, and the economic repercussions that will be felt, he knows that they have what it takes to recover and continue growing something special in Colfax.

“That confidence is from knowing I have an amazing staff and the amount of support we have received from our community in these unpredictable times is second to none,” Mellor said.