Fire at Hunters IGA in Wolfeboro?

[camp guy]

Tragic. Hunters was a store full of great stuff, but best "stuff" of all was the employee staff. To a person, everyone one of the staff was helpful, friendly, and nice to know.
When I was downtown early this morning, I looked at the site and amidst all the rubble stood their flagpole with the "stars and stripes" still flying (sort of brings a lump to the back of your throat).

[tis]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Tragic. Hunters was a store full of great stuff, but best "stuff" of all was the employee staff. To a person, everyone one of the staff was helpful, friendly, and nice to know.
When I was downtown early this morning, I looked at the site and amidst all the rubble stood their flagpole with the "stars and stripes" still flying (sort of brings a lump to the back of your throat).

Yes, that was amazing, wasn't it?

[root1]

I hope they rebuild; and NOT sell-out to a condo developer.
Hunter's store and their employees are an asset to the town.

[Descant]

I'm sure the local residents will do everything they can to help rebuild this valuable local asset. Certainly, it is a tragic loss. Please post here if there is a way us summer folk can help.

[BrownstoneNorth]

Per Chamber of Commerce Facebook post:

Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce
3h ·
“The good people in charge of Hunter's Shop 'n Save tell us yes, Hunter's will be back "as quick as possible". It will be rebuilt. The store and its people are such a huge part of the Wolfeboro community! Difficult to see today's devastation, and grateful everyone is okay”

[TheTimeTraveler]

Do any of you folks remember when this was the A&P store ?

And Harvest Market used to be The First National Store ?


The entire fire situation is a shame. I'm confident that when they build back they will build back so that the store aisles will flow much better, and products will be better displayed for 2023 living (i.e. bigger frozen food sections, better Produce Department, etc).

Granted, their space is limited but imagine if they build the new building with a full basement so that can serve as their new backroom storage, and convert the current backrooms to retail space..... I'm sure there are a ton of ideas out there.

They'll be back. After all it is a thriving successful business, and I don't believe Harvest Market will be able to fill the void that Hunters would leave if they didn't build back.

Let's all wish them speed and luck!

[nj2nh]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Do any of you folks remember when this was the A&P store ?

And Harvest Market used to be The First National Store ?


The entire fire situation is a shame. I'm confident that when they build back they will build back so that the store aisles will flow much better, and products will be better displayed for 2023 living (i.e. bigger frozen food sections, better Produce Department, etc).

Granted, their space is limited but imagine if they build the new building with a full basement so that can serve as their new backroom storage, and convert the current backrooms to retail space..... I'm sure there are a ton of ideas out there.

They'll be back. After all it is a thriving successful business, and I don't believe Harvest Market will be able to fill the void that Hunters would leave if they didn't build back.

Let's all wish them speed and luck!

I hope they rebuild it just as it was. The charm and comfort of the decor was wonderful. If I want a fancy market, I can go to Hannafords in Alton.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by nj2nh

I hope they rebuild it just as it was. The charm and comfort of the decor was wonderful. If I want a fancy market, I can go to Hannafords in Alton.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I leave the specifics to them, but I agree that Hunters was charming, comfortable, and did not feel like a big place. I home those traits are retained

[tis]

If they change too much it could take years to get it approved by the town.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Do any of you folks remember when this was the A&P store ?

Yes I do! My family started vacationing in Wolfeboro in the mid-60s and I think it was an A&P then. At some point it changed to an IGA. My father used to know Mr. Hunter, the original owner.

[gokart-mozart]

A chain link fence has gone up around the rubble @ Hunter's.

There is a sign posted that reads; "NOTICE: This fire is currently under investigation and critical evidentiary items are present. Do not move, alter, destroy or remove anything from the area described below. Do not enter."

The sign is posted by Fire and Explosion Investigations, Inc., a Private Investigations firm based in Monmouth, ME (at least that's their PO Box).

Does anyone know if the involvement of investigators like this (other than the Wolfeboro FD and the State Fire Marshal) is normal at this point, or does it imply that there's something suspicious?

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by gokart-mozart

A chain link fence has gone up around the rubble @ Hunter's.

There is a sign posted that reads; "NOTICE: This fire is currently under investigation and critical evidentiary items are present. Do not move, alter, destroy or remove anything from the area described below. Do not enter."

The sign is posted by Fire and Explosion Investigations, Inc., a Private Investigations firm based in Monmouth, ME (at least that's their PO Box).

Does anyone know if the involvement of investigators like this (other than the Wolfeboro FD and the State Fire Marshal) is normal at this point, or does it imply that there's something suspicious?

If I were the insurance company, I would insist on this for almost any fire. Therefore, nothing noteworthy

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by gokart-mozart

A chain link fence has gone up around the rubble @ Hunter's.

There is a sign posted that reads; "NOTICE: This fire is currently under investigation and critical evidentiary items are present. Do not move, alter, destroy or remove anything from the area described below. Do not enter."

The sign is posted by Fire and Explosion Investigations, Inc., a Private Investigations firm based in Monmouth, ME (at least that's their PO Box).

Does anyone know if the involvement of investigators like this (other than the Wolfeboro FD and the State Fire Marshal) is normal at this point, or does it imply that there's something suspicious?

Very normal for any fire.

[Fishinfergy]

Most all fires will be investigated by a third-party from the insurance company. They do it for subrogation purposes. To see if they can recoup from whatever the cause may have been. This preserves the evidence until all parties are able to inspect.

[root1]

An insurance company's primary objective, as with all public corporations, is to make money for their stockholders. Of significant note, is their uncanny ability to deny claims.

For starters, they will search for any dated construction materials from the rubble; Romex, porcelain fixtures, PVC pipe, structural steel, door frames, etc.; and then obtain copies of all construction/repair permits. If they find any discrepancies, the claim will most likely be denied; citing the unauthorized repairs contributed to the fire.

I'm praying the loss is covered and wish Hunter's a quick recovery.

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by root1

An insurance company's primary objective, as with all public corporations, is to make money for their stockholders. Of significant note, is their uncanny ability to deny claims.

For starters, they will search for any dated construction materials from the rubble; Romex, porcelain fixtures, PVC pipe, structural steel, door frames, etc.; and then obtain copies of all construction/repair permits. If they find any discrepancies, the claim will most likely be denied; citing the unauthorized repairs contributed to the fire.

This theory is a REAL stretch.

[Descant]

I think fire is fire unless purposely set, the owners will get their money. Looking at all those other factors is more likely to provide opportunities for subrogation, or to limit the use of particular products in the future.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Descant

I think fire is fire unless purposely set, the owners will get their money. Looking at all those other factors is more likely to provide opportunities for subrogation, or to limit the use of particular products in the future.

This isn't Hunter's first fire!

...I have the T-shirt...

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

This isn't Hunter's first fire!

...I have the T-shirt...

Show us the shirt.

It looks like their plan is to open by next July.

[Billy Bob]

Originally Posted by root1

An insurance company's primary objective, as with all public corporations, is to make money for their stockholders. Of significant note, is their uncanny ability to deny claims.

For starters, they will search for any dated construction materials from the rubble; Romex, porcelain fixtures, PVC pipe, structural steel, door frames, etc.; and then obtain copies of all construction/repair permits. If they find any discrepancies, the claim will most likely be denied; citing the unauthorized repairs contributed to the fire.

I'm praying the loss is covered and wish Hunter's a quick recovery.

And denying a claim on a fire of this type would result in a law suit that would cost the insurance company more then the claim. This might seem like a big claim to the average guy but it’s a small deal to a decent size insurance company.
Some legitimate discussion of the payout and values might occur but if the owner bought proper coverage and placed realistic values on what was insured the claim will be paid . ( prayers only needed for the under insured )

[ApS]

For their employees, a GoFundMe page has been established:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-f...ers-of-hunters

BTW: This is their second fire in recent history. I know that, because I've saved the T-shirt they handed out...

Hope they open the bakery first, as my visitors won't settle for anything less when it comes to Hunter's Whoopie Pies.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by camp guy

I looked at the site and amidst all the rubble stood their flagpole with the "stars and stripes" still flying

I read a report that one of the first firefighters in the door found the flag stored in its normal overnight spot near the front door and removed it. The flag was raised again after the fire had been extinguished.