When a pipe burst above the Lafayette & Rushford storefront in Baldwin Park last Thursday, the resulting water damage forced the popular home‑decor shop to shut its doors. Co‑owner Kristen Painter described the incident as “catastrophic,” noting that the pipe, which serves the apartments above the store, caused sections of the ceiling tiles to collapse.
Extent of the damage and repair timeline
Painter explained that while the visible damage may not look severe, the entire ceiling and all of its tiles must be replaced. The repair process is further complicated by the involvement of multiple parties – the building’s landlord, the apartment complex, and a homeowners association – all of which must determine liability before work can begin. Once responsibility is settled, contractors estimate the job will take fifteen to twenty days. For a store that operates seven days a week, even a short closure feels like an eternity, especially as the business heads into its busiest season of the year.
Personal challenges compound the crisis
Painter and her husband have endured a series of hardships in recent years. “We had a home fire about a year ago and lost everything,” Painter said, adding that the current leak feels like another devastating blow. Compounding the stress, Painter has been battling breast cancer for several months, making the situation even more overwhelming.
Pivoting to online sales
Without an existing e‑commerce platform, the couple quickly created a makeshift online catalogue on social media, showcasing top‑selling home‑decor items, children’s products, and seasonal holiday finds. Customers can place orders through direct messages, and the owners arrange either curbside pickup or complimentary delivery.
Painter remains resolute, drawing on past experiences to fuel her determination. “We made it through COVID, we made it through the house fire, we made it through cancer – we have to make it through this,” she affirmed.
Community response
Local residents have expressed support for the store, many reaching out via the social‑media catalogue to place orders or simply offer encouragement. The situation highlights the vulnerability of small, family‑run businesses when unexpected infrastructure failures occur, and underscores the importance of reliable landlord‑tenant communication and timely repairs.
Painter hopes that once the ceiling is restored and liability issues are resolved, the shop can reopen and resume serving Baldwin Park’s neighborhood with its curated home‑decor selections.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
