Last week the unthinkable happened for a small business. And it happened simultaneously to four of them in Rice Lake, Wi.
Today marks one week since I stood on Messenger Street with the owners of Agonic Brewing Company and Cheese Louise Sandwiches watching everything they poured their lives into go up in ravaging flames.
There were no words then, and still no words now, to explain the horror and sadness.
Since Dannyelle Moon and Desmond Benavides (owners of Agonic) opened their doors in 2021 they've been an integral part of the downtown community, often times supporting charities, events and festivals, along with providing a consistent and welcoming atmosphere for locals and travelers alike.
I first met them through the radio station when I was sent to do our pontoon promo at the brewery. Soon after I began co-hosting an open mic with local musician Weston Schissel.
It was during the open mic nights that I fell in love with the brewery and everything it was beginning to represent in our community: adventure, new beginnings, connections.
Talking with Danny and Desmond, meeting the regulars, becoming a regular, I felt I belonged. I know they, and their customers shared some of that feeling. That feeling of belonging.
The last few years, and most of 2024 especially, Agonic also became a place of refuge, escape, and creativity for me personally. A place of community and belonging, indeed, at time when I needed it most. I know quite a few others that can say the same.
When Pat Kelly, another Agonic regular, opened Cheese Louise Sandwiches right next door it offered the perfect compliment to Agonic's tasty brew and inviting atmosphere.
As we stood in the middle of the street, surrounded by smoke, ash and emergency responders, I noticed more and more people lining the sidewalks, standing in horrified amazement.
There were a few "gawkers" but what I noticed more were the people that came to check on Dannyelle, Desmond and Pat. People that frequented the brewery, and enjoyed lunch at the sandwich shop. People, that like me, felt a connection, to the businesses, the owners, and the historic building we all called home.
In the seven days since the fire, I've seen just how much these three individuals impacted the residents of Rice Lake and beyond.
Standing there, we all felt so hopeless. I did what society has trained us to do in times of uncertainty. I grabbed my phone and posted to Facebook. I expressed my disbelief and sadness and announced that a fundraiser I was to be hosting next month would shift it's focus to include helping these businesses bounce back.
I couldn't have anticipated how immediate the reaction would be. Almost within the first minute of the post being live I was getting direct messages from other businesses and individuals asking how they could help or be involved, from offering services and goods to be auctioned off, to wanting to send money and/or volunteer in the recovery effort.
I stayed there with everyone for more than two hours watching the last three years burn away. As I left, I let Danny, Desmond and Pat know that whatever I could do, I would.
Before I made it home that night I met with some of my friends to discuss how we would shift the fundraising event, and what all we would need to have in place. The truth is we had never done something like this and were figuring it out as we went. It was obvious that night that this would need to be bigger than our humble group.
In the next couple days Jody Greiner with the Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce reached out to me and we began to collaborate on how to incorporate the silent auctions, where to set up accounts on behalf of the businesses, and who could help us pull this together.
Earlier this week the Rice Lake Elks Lodge #1441, the venue I was renting to host the original event, also reached out and offered to collaborate in our efforts.
I also got a message from Casey Watters of Casey Watters - Real Estate Solutions asking what could be done. Along with countless other businesses wanting to donate items, supplies and money.
As I type this, one week removed from the fire, twenty three days ahead of the fundraiser, I am still in disbelief. Not in horror, but in the amount of love, support and goodwill in this community.
Our little fundraiser will be a big night for small business, but even bigger than that, is the commitment and resolve in this community that will bring these beloved businesses back.
In addition to what we are planning for November 16th, others have stepped up and gone above and beyond. Businesses big and small, far and wide, have been running their own specials, and raising money in their own way, from Link Ford donating money from every car sold, to the Farmhouse Restaurant and Bar in Weyerhauser creating the Agonic Burger, to Two Sisters in Rice Lake offering a 15% discount for every $10 towards the recovery funds. There's also a gofundme account set up on their behalf
The agonic line is the line where a compass needle points to true north, and there is no magnetic declination.
It's also the line that connects our community and points us toward home.
Keep North, Stay True.
For more information about the Hip Hop To Help visit the Facebook event page.
For pre-sale tickets click here.
If you have more questions about the event, on going recovery efforts, or future plans reach out by email: ryanq@dirtychairadio.com
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