By Cindy J. Roth
"Everything is ruined," said Joseph Rossi, whose family owns the store. "We'll have to start from scratch. We'll be back, I just don't know when."
The fire, which started at about 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 5 originated in the meat department, before spreading and engulfing the 16,000 square foot market. No one was inside the building when the fire started.
The fire was brought under control in about an hour. Malverne, Elmont, Franklin Square, Lakeview, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream fire departments responded to the fire.
The Nassau County Fire Marshals department is investigating the cause of the fire, which is deemed unsuspicious according to Nassau County Fire Marshal Investigator Richard Michael. As of press time the catalyst of the fire was still undetermined.
Loyal patrons of Cross Island Fruits were shocked and dismayed on Thursday as many arrived at the store to buy fruit for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah and instead saw the entire exterior of the store boarded up with plywood.
"I'm shocked," said Linda Albante of Valley Stream. "I was coming to buy food for the holidays. I like their fruits and vegetables and they have good prices. I wish the owners luck in the rebuilding efforts."
Jan Steinberger, who has been shopping at Cross Island Fruits for 15 years, said she too was surprised and disappointed to hear about the fire. Like other customers, she said she will have to find another place to shop until the store is rebuilt.
Rossi is unsure how long it will take to rebuild the store, although he is hopeful it will be before Thanksgiving. The storeowners plan to gut the floor and ceiling completely to make sure to get rid of the burnt odor that still lingers. Rossi was unable to put a price tag on the amount of damage to the building or inventory lost as of press time, as the insurance company is still processing the claim.
Other merchants in the Hempstead and Lakeview avenues intersection strip mall said they hope the store is rebuilt soon as well.
"We're losing business here," said Sonny Patel who owns the stationary store next to Cross Island Fruits. "There is going to be a lot less traffic."
