Wilmington lawn equipment and repair shop reopens days after fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – Thirty years of small business up in flames. Now a Wilmington company is slowly getting back to business.

Honest Engine Equipment re-opened its doors just three days after a fire nearly destroyed the store.

“I know they’re a blessing to a lot of people,” says customer Donnie Johnson.

A blessing of a business that burst into flames Saturday. Wilmington Fire investigators say it began in the back storage area and spread. In the days following, owners of the Honest Engine hardware and service shop are taking it day by day.

“At this point we are just trying to get people’s equipment out and repaired to try and make some room for a limited operation.” says store manager Shane Bordeaux.

A limited operation is how the company is working three days after the fire. It will be like that for at least the next week or so. They are able to sell some parts, the ones not torched or that are not currently in areas of the shop under investigation.

“We’ll see how it goes, we’re optimistic that everything is going to go fine and we’ll be open back in full swing and better than ever sooner than later,” Bordeaux adds.

Customers like Donnie Johnson hope sooner rather than later. He says he’s trusted the business for all his lawn care needs for years.

“That was sad and coming by today looking for some parts for my extension weed eater and they said all of their inventory is gone so now I have to go to Lowe’s.”

He like many customer had the same reaction to hearing the news about the store’s fate. He travels in from Rocky Point because of the type of customer service he’s received at Honest Engine.

“You just tell them your model number and they’ll look it up and sometimes they’ll give you the best advice for that part that’s what I like about them,” says Johnson.

Honesty is in their name and they know honestly it could have been worse.

“Probably fifteen sixteen families depending on us right now. We’re going to try and keep these guys, their households in order,” Bordeaux says.

The shop has seen an outpouring of support from families feeding them while they try to restore and begin repairing what they’ve lost. Customer like Johnson are ready for it to be back up and running so he can support them with some business.

“‘You’ll come back right? Definitely,” answers Johnson.

The owners still do not know how much of the building can be restored. They are waiting for a final assessment by the insurance company.