Reopen David Christopher’s After Flooding

David Christopher's is a family owned and operated unique floral, home decor, and gift shop located in Sheffield, Alabama. The business also operates an import/wholesale company servicing customers from all over the world. The retail store has been in business serving the Shoals for the past eleven years. The import company has been in business for two generations spanning over forty years.  It's important to this business to provide a great shopping experience for customers as well as a positive, uplifting work environment for employees. People are always first, and the heart behind the business is to make a difference in the community as they give back thousands of dollars every year to to various causes ! 

On February 24, 2019, the unthinkable happened. City pumps malfunctioned during massive rain falls, and the entire 30,000 square foot building was engulfed in two to four feet of water within 45 minutes time. There was no warning or time to prepare for this disaster.  It was nothing they ever imagined would happen. 

Facebook Live Video of Inside the Building 

Several hundred thousand dollars worth of inventory was lost and was not covered under the company's insurance. 

Aerial view of the rooftop of David Christopher's in Sheffield, Alabama. 

Street view of David Christopher's the morning of the flood. 

Ricky Smith, 1st generation owner, surveying the waters in the retail store. 

David Smith, 2nd generation owner, David Christopher's namesake,  wading into the parking lot attempting to find drainage issues.

Amanda Allison, and husband Keith, eager to help as they have been business owners and can understand how much work it takes to make a business work without natural disasters. 

Kathy Smith, 1st generation owner, with volunteer Cassandra. Cassandra had some water damage to her own home, but she loves David Christopher’s and came to help. 

The business had flood insurance on the building, but the family owning this business will be maxing out their flood insurance policy as the damages are too extensive. The destruction to the business and its contents has been unimaginable. 

There is currently no state or federal help available even though Alabama has been deemed as in a state of emergency. 

Wholesale items are usually stacked in the back, but when a bottom box was compromised by water, it would deteriorate and the boxes on top began to topple. 

It didn't take long for the $275,000 flood policy to be maxed out leaving the family to figure out how to continue doing what they love and providing good jobs for a dozen employees. Some of these employees have been working in their current positions for over ten years! 

The owners' MAIN priority at this time is to have enough money to pay current employees to continue clean up efforts until the business can become functional again. 

The wholesale store is working day and night moving good merchandise to a different facility to begin shipping and fulfilling orders. The retail store is preparing for a temporary location to generate sales.  There’s a solid plan in place, but funds are needed for success. 

The employees are the heart and soul of this business. Many of them believe so much in this business, they are willing to take less and do more. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into this business over four decades. 

Team Members Shay & Kathryn holding ruined "Bless this Mess" signs as everyone tries to remain positive. 

Team Members Melanie and Kathryn tackle the hard tasks of carrying out wet cardboard boxes to the dumpster with damaged Christmas trees inside. 

Long standing Team Member, Matthew Butler, sorting through the ruins. 

Jennifer Smith, 2nd generation owner, thankful for blowers loaned to the business by another local business, Discount Dans.

This view is common throughout the 30,000 square foot business as people work hard to clear the debris and separate the good merchandise from the bad. 

The family has a strong faith in God, believing He will see them through this storm. They believe good will come from this and are placing their faith in Him to restore and give back what was lost ten fold. They realize the most important thing is everyone was okay and no one was harmed in the flood waters.

All proceeds donated will go toward paying employees to clean up and rebuild. The owners are looking for $100,000 to offset the $300,000 plus in losses sustained. The owner's heart is for no one to lose their job during this time.  Any funds earned over the goal will be shared with the neighborhood homeowners behind the business to rebuild since they, too, suffered significant flood damage and most didn't have any flood coverage as it wasn't seen as needed. 

Help us keep this small business "afloat." 

"Smooth waters don't make strong sailors."