Reopen, the lure

The owners of a Dandenong fishing and tackle shop plan to rebuild their business, after it was destroyed by fire. Picture Courtesy Keith Pakenham, CFA Strategic Communications

By Bridget Cook
THE owners of a Dandenong fishing and tackle shop destroyed by fire have vowed to get their business up and running – before Christmas.
Compleat Angler co-owner Glenys Loft said they were in the process of obtaining the lease on another retail store in Dandenong, in the hope to reopen their business as soon as possible.
Police are investigating the suspicious fire at their previous premises on Monday 22 November.
Emergency services were called to the blaze in Langhorne Street just before midnight.
It is believed the fire started in a laneway between Compleat Angler and a drycleaners, before quickly engulfing the fishing shop. An arson chemist attended the scene the morning after the fire, in which nobody was injured.
Ms Loft said she was in total shock and disbelief when they arrived at the scene. “It was horrible to see all our hard work go up in smoke,” she said.
“Especially, because it’s our busy trading time … being so close to Christmas was just unbelievable.” Ms Loft said they lost about $800,000 worth of stock, but thankfully they were insured.
“Now we just need to secure premises, put in counters and order stock … hopefully in time for Christmas,” she said.