By Marcia Love
There’s no throwing in the towel for two local businesses that suffered a great deal of flood damage on June 18.
Owners of the Commercial Hotel and Caroline’s Drive-In are in the process of cleaning up and rebuilding.
Chung Lee, owner of the Commercial Hotel, said repairs at the hotel and restaurant will cost about $160,000 for the basement alone.
“The basement received most of the damage,” he said, also noting two to three centimetres of water made it onto the main floor.
Lee was worried about antiques and artifacts in the lobby being harmed, but said they sustained minimal damage.
He was able to claim sewer back up with his insurance company, but struggled for assistance from the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP).
Because the hotel was not considered Lee’s primary business, PDAP denied his claim.
“I appealed to the town office because we needed some help,” he explained. “If we have to do this on our own, our business is at risk.”
The town arranged for another PDAP adjuster for the business, and an assessment was conducted last week. Lee is waiting for a response.
“If we can’t get provincial help, maybe the federal (government) can help, because we are desperate,” he said. “We have to get (the business) going.”
Because of the hotel’s historical significance, Lee hopes to preserve as much of the building’s natural state throughout the restoration process. But he knows it’s going to be difficult and expensive work.
He is unsure how long it will take to re-open the hotel and restaurant.
Caroline’s Drive-In also suffered much damage in the flood, but owner Caroline Saufert is hoping to have the place up and running soon.
“We had to pretty much gut the whole place except the roof,” explained Saufert. “It’s going to be like a brand new building.”
The flooring and drywall were replaced, as well as most of the appliances. Saufert’s four freezers were washed down Highway 21 during the flood.
“I don’t know how much it’s going to cost to fix my ice cream machine,” she admitted. “It’s a $30,000 machine and if it can’t be fixed, I’ll have to buy a new one.”
At the sight of the mess her business was left in from the flood, Saufert said she had her doubts about re-opening the drive-in.
“I was in shock,” she said. “I actually gave up (on re-opening) a few times, because I didn’t have insurance and I didn’t know if I could actually finance to rebuild it myself. I said to myself, ‘I have to walk away.’”
But with financial support from PDAP and help from friends and family, Saufert decided not to give up.
“I had friends and family that supported me and told me... I’ve been here for 13 years and I just have to continue on. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now,” she explained.
Many of Saufert’s customers have also rallied to assist in the business’ rebuilding.
“I had one customer of mine who’s 93 years old, and he faithfully comes in every day and helps out a little bit,” she said. “Another gentleman has been here from the beginning. He’s 83 years old and he’s pretty much done all my carpentry work. I don’t know how to thank these people.”
Saufert said the drive-in should be operational in two weeks if equipment is delivered on time.

Caroline Saufert, owner of Caroline’s Drive-In, measures new sinks as she continues to restore the diner after it received flood damage. The drive-in had new flooring and drywall installed, and also required new equipment and appliances. Saufert hopes to have the drive-in open for business in two weeks.             Photo by Marcia Love