The art co-op Womancraft Gifts has been in Chapel Hill for 42 years. The artists say they are just days away from doing what they do best- selling art that represents Chapel Hill.
Heavy rains on June 30 flooded the Eastgate Shopping Center and turned the parking lot into a lake. The co-op has been out of business ever since.
"It sopped up into the carpet, the carpet is full of bacteria, mold and it started soaking up into the drywall," said Monica Hunter of Womancraft Gifts.
They did not qualify for a disaster loan from the Small Business Administration. But with insurance money and more than $10,000 out of their own pockets, the women are now recreating their business.
"Everybody is really interested in getting back to selling their products," Hunter said.
The business suffered an expensive hit, but will open again Thursday Aug. 1. The artists behind the co-op are anxious to open their doors again.
"We've sort of missed a month of the summer shopping season," said Dale Morgan.
Womancraft Gifts will have a grand re-opening party the weekend of Aug. 10 and 11.
Any small businesses that qualify for the disaster loan must apply soon. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 13. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 15, 2014.
Applicants may apply online using the electronic loan application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
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