Tackle shop beats the snags

By Bridget Cook
A DANDENONG fishing and tackle shop is up and running again, despite hitting a huge snag in their busiest time of the year.
Dandenong business Compleat Angler was destroyed by fire on Monday 22 November, just before midnight.
Just three weeks on from the blaze, the owners opened the shop for business on Monday at new premises in Lonsdale Street – just in time for Christmas.
Compleat Angler co-owner Glenys Loft said she was thrilled they were able to secure premises and open the business so quickly.
“I think it’s an amazing achievement by the whole team to have the business up and running in just three weeks,” she said.
“We wanted to reopen as soon as possible, both for the team here and for our customers.”
Ms Loft said they lost about $800,000 worth of stock in the fire, but thankfully they were insured.
She said the fire could not have happened at a worse time.
“Especially, because it’s our busy trading time … being so close to Christmas was just unbelievable,” she said.
“We basically work all winter to prepare for the summer season … it’s our biggest time of the year.
“To watch our business burn down was just devastating. It was horrible to see all our hard work go up in smoke.”
Police are still investigating the suspicious fire.
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 wanted to thank her customers for being so patient, and her staff and suppliers for their support.
“When the suppliers were aware of our situation, they made sure our stock orders were a priority,” she said.
“Our staff were all working 14 -hour days to help reopen the business.
“I hope to see everyone in our new store soon,” she said.
Compleat Angler is now located at 209 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.