Casual industry comes together to support Casual Comfort after factory fire

Porch Concepts, a Wilmington, N.C.-based casual furniture retailer, has organized a crowdfunding campaign for Casual Comfort to help the casual furnishings manufacturer get back to business following a devastating June fire that destroyed the company’s factory.

“While the tightly-knit Amish community quickly banded together to rebuild and get the operation back up and running, you can only imagine the high expense to reestablish the outdoor poly furniture business,” wrote Mary Maki, co-founder of Porch Concepts, on the GoFundMe page being used to raise funds for Casual Comfort.

According to the LNP, the fire, which took place June 3, destroyed about $1.5 million in property including lots of poly materials, a few CNC machines, a barn and the main manufacturing shop. It was started when a trash burning fire got out of control outside the manufacturing building.

“At a time when we all are challenged with the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic on our families as well as our business colleagues and taking time this week to count our blessings, I invite you to consider making a donation to this worthy cause and help one of our own,” continued Maki in her post. “This is, unquestionably, a perfect case for ‘every little bit counts,’ and I reassure you that no amount is too small. Indeed, Small Business Saturday is scheduled this weekend and your contribution will go a long way to helping the Glick family help support their employees.”

The GoFundMe project was started in late June, but is being given a new life during the Thanksgiving season in large part because of a push by members of the International Casual Furnishings Assn. who are spreading the word about the fundraiser. As of publishing, the fundraiser has raised $4,370 of its $75,000 goal with the help of 21 donors. To make your own donation or to learn more about the crowdfunding project, click here.