North Vancouver business destroyed in arson at Masonic hall determined to rebuild
Posted April 1, 2021 6:34 pm.
Last Updated April 1, 2021 6:35 pm.
NORTH VANCOUVER (CityNews) — The North Shore community is rallying behind a small business that went up in flames earlier this week.
Meal prep company ‘Feed Me Fit’ shared the same building as the North Vancouver Masonic Centre near Lonsdale Avenue and 12th Street. The hall was targeted in one of three arson attacks on Tuesday.
Opening the brick and mortar storefront in 2015 was a big step for owner Vanessa Stonehouse — who first launched the business out of her own kitchen.
“It’s traumatizing to see the last six years of your life burn in front of you,” she says, adding local support has been crucial to her success since the beginning.
“It was a long process building it but the community here was overwhelming.”
Three fires broke out at three separate Masonic halls around North Vancouver and Vancouver early Tuesday morning. Police say a man has since been arrested. @MirandaFatur reports. https://t.co/SE4792Yk3E pic.twitter.com/JuCB6mqYEX
— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) March 31, 2021
Stonehouse says it’s already been an extremely tough year for her small business, like it has been for so many amid the pandemic.
“I’ve almost shut down probably 15 times. I’m just super stubborn, and I didn’t want it to shut down,” she says.
“I’ve just put so much like literal blood sweat and tears into this place, all my employees have. They’ve helped out and volunteered through COVID because I couldn’t pay them.”
An online fundraiser launched for Stonehouse has raised thousands since launching.
“I know that I’m gonna rebuild it because of everyone that’s supported me, I don’t know if I’d be in the same mind frame if I didn’t have the community’s backing, so it really makes all the difference,” she says.
“I’m not one to ask for help, so it was really hard for me to accept it but at the same time, I wouldn’t be able to rebuild on my own. It’s overwhelming and just like really nice to know that everyone believes in my business and me and what I’m trying to accomplish.”
Stone house says she is overwhelmed by and grateful for the support, and is pursuing a different plant-based meat alternative business.
