First, we want to thank you all for the overwhelming support you’ve shown since the fire. It has been a challenging journey, but we’ve found strength in our community, and we’re excited to share some updates.
 

Rediscovering Life's Little Blessings

I’m sure any small business owners out there will be able to relate to this: After years of non-stop work running Top of the Hill in Renton, we’ve had a chance to reconnect with parts of life we missed out on. Recently, we attended the Birthday Dreams Gala and caught up with friends we hadn’t seen in ages. We’ve even made it back to church—a blessing we’ve missed for many Sundays while running the store.

These moments, though small, have lifted our spirits during this difficult time. Though we are still mourning the loss of our store, we’re reminded of how much life continues to offer.

Business Updates: Where Things Stand

We know many of you have been asking about what’s next, so here are a few answers to your questions:

Temporary Location?

Many of you have suggested setting up a temporary location, especially with the holiday season approaching. Unfortunately, after speaking with our insurance company, it’s just not feasible. Beyond the logistics of ordering holiday inventory months in advance, the insurance has advised against it due to the costs involved.

Demolition Status:

As much as we wish we had more news, the process is slower than anticipated. We’re still waiting on permits from the city of Renton for demolition to begin and are in a holding pattern with the insurance companies. We’ve submitted all the required documents, but we’re waiting on answers about coverage, especially given that costs for equipment and rebuilding have gone up since we first opened 20 years ago.

While we remain hopeful, we are honestly sharing that the financial aspects are still uncertain due to depreciation and rising costs. In the meantime, we continue to manage the difficult reality of having no income, and we’ve asked creditors for their patience.

The Ripple Effect on Our Community

The intentionally set fire didn’t just impact us personally—it has affected the lives of our employees, local farmers, and surrounding small businesses in Kent, Maple Valley, Puyallup, Yakima, and beyond, who sold their products at our store. It’s hard to believe that someone would cause this, knowing the ripple effect their actions would create across the community.

Police Investigation: What We Know

The Renton Police Department is working alongside other agencies in Kent and Auburn. They have a suspect connected to the burglary that occurred the night before the fire, and they’re now investigating whether this person is also responsible for the arson. We remain hopeful for justice as the investigation continues.

We Can’t Thank You Enough

The generosity we’ve experienced from the community has been humbling. From fundraisers to personal donations, the support has exceeded anything we could have imagined. While we can’t thank each of you personally, please know that every contribution and thoughtful comment has continued to encourage us. We wish we could offer each of you a warm, face-to-face, heartfelt thank you.

Staying Connected

One thing we’re certain of is our desire to take our incredible employees out for a well-deserved dinner. We’ll share photos of this special time with our team on social media, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Though some have found other jobs, we still consider them as part of our family and want to stay in touch.

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re also sad we won’t get to see all your kiddos and pets in-store for treats this year. But we’d still love to celebrate with you! Share your costume photos, carved pumpkins, and festive dishes on our social media, and let’s keep the Top of the Hill community spirit alive, even from afar.

We may not have all the answers yet, but we’re still committed to keeping you updated every step of the way. Your support has been our strength, and we are grateful that you are continuing to walk with us through this journey.