By:Karenlyn Barone
"I'm at a loss for words," said Joe Rossi, owner of the supermarket section of the store, the day after the fire. "I don't know what to say."
The popular store, which has a number of owners, is located on the triangle of Hempstead, Hendrickson and Franklin avenues, on the border of Lynbrook and Malverne. It has been a community mainstay for over 20 years, and was ravaged by another fire in September 2002, in which flames ripped through the building and caused extensive damage, which necessitated major repairs and subsequent renovation. It was three months before the business could re-open its doors.
There is no estimate of the damage the most recent fire has caused, nor how long the repairs might take.
Displaced employees, some of whom were also victims of the first fire, were visibly upset and confused about how the fire would affect their employment. "We're broke," said Jeannie Mullen, a cashier. "It's summer, and without a job we won't even be able to afford to go to the beach."
Store manager Denise Spencer has worked at Cross Island Fruits for the past 22 years. She said she suffered alongside her boss when the last fire left struck and she is prepared to help out once again. "I stayed the last time," she said. "I helped with the cleanup and everything. I was a trouper, and I'm ready to help my boss again."
Residents and local customers of the store who stopped by on Sunday were shocked and saddened to learn of the loss. Said one regular shopper, "Oh no! The poor owners haven't even had a chance to get over the last fire. And once again, I have no place to shop."
Additional reporting by William Pfaff.
