Early Saturday morning, a fire broke out at 711 Main St. in downtown Shelbyville, damaging a historic three‑story building that has been under renovation for nearly a year. The blaze, which firefighters from three local departments battled for almost six hours, caused significant smoke and water damage but, fortunately, no one was inside and the fire did not spread to the roof.
Owners’ response and community support
Owner BJ Andriot, who purchased the property in November 2025, received the call about the fire around 3 a.m. and rushed to the site. “I just obviously jumped out of bed and got here,” he said. Andriot, a longtime Shelbyville resident, has been restoring the building as a labor of love, hoping to revive a piece of the town’s heritage.
Andriot’s wife, Michele, and their family have deep roots in downtown Shelbyville, and the couple sees the project as more than an investment—it is a contribution to the community’s character. Despite the setback, Andriot remains optimistic. “Hard work, you know? Nothing hard work won’t fix. So it’ll come back,” he said.
Impact on The Main House boutique
The ground‑floor space was slated to become the new home of The Main House boutique, owned by Kelsey Mattingly and her business partner. The owners had been preparing for a November 8 opening and planned to move merchandise into the space on Sunday. “It’s really sad because we’ve had this vision for a couple months now,” Mattingly said.
Undeterred, Mattingly announced that the boutique will relocate to a larger venue at 541 Main St., for which they have already signed a lease. To help cover the additional moving and setup costs, the owners have launched a GoFundMe campaign. “We’re just so appreciative of the community that’s rallied behind us, and everybody’s just as excited as we are to get open,” Mattingly added.
Next steps and investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Andriot is awaiting a meeting with his insurance adjuster to assess the full extent of the damage and determine the path forward for repairs. Both owners expressed gratitude for the rapid response of local firefighters and the outpouring of support from Shelbyville residents.
Local officials have not issued a formal statement, but the incident underscores the importance of preserving Shelbyville’s historic architecture while ensuring safety standards are met during renovation projects.
Looking ahead
While the fire has delayed the opening of The Main House boutique and the planned Airbnb rentals, both Andriot and Mattingly remain committed to bringing new life to downtown Shelbyville. Their perseverance reflects the town’s broader spirit of resilience and community cooperation, values that have long defined the area’s small‑business landscape.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
