
Healing Together: A Day of Hugs, Plants, and Thanks
by Top of the Hill Staff on August 30, 2024Tuesday Morning Flare Up August 27th
Our days have certainly not been without drama!Renton RFA responded to a flare-up and thankfully put it out for us before our plant giveaway. Here is a social post from Renton Firefighters IAFF 864 on the Renton Crime and Safety Facebook Group to explain why this sometimes happens:
"It’s not uncommon in a large structure like this after a fire to experience some smoldering or flare-ups. There was a roof collapse and structural concerns during previous firefighting operations that would have made it difficult to extinguish all hot spots completely…
A fire watch was in place after the fire and until the investigation was completed. That is generally how most fires are managed. Unfortunately like coals in the bottom of a campfire some hidden places may occasionally remain just hot enough to char and continue burning albeit extremely slowly."
Special thanks to our Renton Firefighters!
Plant Give-Away
It was so great seeing many of our customers, employees, and friends. We truly appreciated the hugs and words of support for our staff. You laughed and cried along with us as we chatted.
Here is a video to capture the moment:
Fundraiser in Fairwood on Wednesday, September 4th, 4-7pm
4 Corners Merchants
La Crema Patisserie
The Red Tea Room
We are so grateful for these small businesses. Come join us for food, flowers and fun! The weather is supposed to be perfect for outdoor eating and gelato.
Many More Thanks
We continue to be blown away by the donations on both the GoFundMe page and via our Donation Page on the website. We are continually uplifted by all the blog and social comments offering encouragement and a helping hand with the clean-up when the time comes. Thank you so much to our community!
And speaking of the donation pages, we want to thank some behind-the-scenes people:
- Carly Montez-Brown: for setting up the GoFundMe page and posting updates (We refused, but you kept insisting as you reminded us that the community wants to help).
- Josiah Montez-Brown: for taking those day-after photos that are now circulating all over the place.
- To our Bloqs website/marketing team: for changing and spinning up content so quickly for us last Saturday, and for all the time and thought you’ve put into giving us a voice and a platform to share our products and our story over the years.
News Coverage of the Fire
Here is a look back at some news coverage in the last few days: (Warning: You may want to grab some tissues before watching!)
- KIRO News with Jackie and Damu, and customers: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/video-renton-grocery-store-fire-was-arson/c1db476a-6835-4bd0-963c-34ae77c1dd94/
- KING 5 News with our employee Kat https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/fire-rips-through-beloved-renton-grocery-store-washington/281-4c77c522-9ffa-4d49-b837-ff92d5057abe
- Fox 13 News with customer interviews: https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/renton-fire-destroys-beloved-top-hill-quality-produce-grocery-store
- KOMO 4 News: https://komonews.com/news/local/fire-ravages-rentons-top-of-the-hill-quality-produce-store-until-further-notice-grocery-king-county-saturday-explosion-blaze-roof-collapse-2-alarm-rebuild-restore
- Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/renton-grocery-store-destroyed-in-fire/
- Renton Reporter: https://www.rentonreporter.com/news/fire-destroys-top-of-the-hill-grocery-store-in-renton/
- MyNorthwest.com: https://mynorthwest.com/3980868/explosion-and-fire-heavily-damage-grocery-store-in-renton-highlands/