Arson Attack Destroys Vintage Jones Store

Hi, I am Christine, a personal friend of Penni and Sarahs’ the owners of Vintage Jones.

Penni and Sarah are twin sisters who collaborated their artistic talents to provide a unique store and candle making service that many locals have come to love and utilise frequently (me being one).

The girls run 2 businesses under the same roof - ‘Vintage Jones’ as a Bohemian style clothing, and homeware store and incorporating ‘Wild Moon Collective’ - a candle bar, that hosts daily candle making workshops for both adults and children.

Their store is certainly a refreshing addition to the Singleton Community.

Recently they became the victims of an arson attack, something they never thought they would have to deal with.

The fire/smoke/water damage to their store from this attack has bought their incomes to a screaming halt which has pretty much sent them into a tail spin as to how they can afford to pay their commitments. I would hate to be in this predicament. They need our help, but feel shy to ask, as they are both very self reliant. Both girls have families and mortgages to uphold, not to mention the stress and anxiety of how they are going to restart. Sarah is a single Mum too with 2 boys living at home. It’s all been extremely upsetting for them. They’ve pretty much lost everything that they relied on to earn their income. Their computers, hardware, fridge, wax heater and electrical devices if not fire damaged, are water damaged and all they are left with is a shop full smoke/fire/water damaged stock. Around $50,000 worth of loss on top of income loss.

I’ve witnessed the shock of the situation and the tears.

For those of you who already know Penni and Sarah, would know first hand what amazing and generous human beings they are, well known and loved within the community.

I have personally watched the girls be so generous in what they offer to others, always willing to lend a hand or help wherever they can to anyone even complete strangers. I would love to show them that the community has their backs, and so this fundraiser is to give them some hope that they can rebuild their business again and be OK.

If you can donate $20, $50, $100….that would be amazing, and it will all add up.

Come on Singleton, let's get behind these two amazing girls.

So…here's what happened…

On Tuesday morning the 30th of April at 4am Sarah received a call from a neighbouring business that their shop was on fire!

Sarah says there were no words to describe the panic and heart sinking feeling of knowing all their previous hard work to build the business to what it is could be taken away just like that.

Unfortunately due to the costs of running a small business in this economic climate their stock and possessions were not insured.

As 'Vintage Jones' back door (where the attack was made with fuel put under the door), was next door to a tobacconist store, the Police are considering the attack on the store 'mistaken identity' as it may be related to a string of similar arsen attacks on tobacco stores throughout Sydney and Melbourne, so has bought attention from both local and state Police Investigation units.

Access to the shop is still pending further investigation.

It’s going to be a slow recovery, but the girls are determined and hopeful to rebuild what they had, and survive in the meantime.

They thank you from the bottoms of their hearts for your well wishes and support and will do everything they can to rise above this situation.

Your words of encouragement mean the World to them.

The community of Singleton is rallying together.

The girls are feeling the love.

Now, let's show them, that we got them!

Thank you so much! xo

*********UPDATE********* Tuesday 14th May

After what seems like forever, access to the store to view the damage has finally been granted.

Protective masks and eyewear was needed to enter the premises. Everything soot covered and mostly unrecoverable it was worse than they anticipated, and the smell was just toxic even through their masks.

As much as the girls thought they were prepared, it was an emotional and exhausting day sorting through the mess & debris, and coming to terms with the shock of what has just happened.

As Sarah said, 'she cried all day', and was left 'feeling gutted'.

There are still days of work ahead cleaning up, and months to try and recover.

During this difficult time, both the girls are incredibly grateful to a handful of special people who came forward to physically help clear the store, and to the community, even strangers who have put their hands in their pockets to help raise support.

It has been increasingly difficult to raise awareness of what has occurred and to gain support for the girls, due to community facebook pages not allowing us to post any details at all, and so we ask and are incredibly grateful for you, our generous community, and friends of Sarah and Penni's, to please continue to share and donate where you can.

Thank You

Your Support and Kindness means the world to them and as I said before it’s very hard to ask for help, especially when you feel so down, and especially when you need it.