2 Years After, The Weil’s Department Store Fire Still Leaves A Mark

Two years ago, I woke up to the news that the block in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, where my office is, was on fire.  A few minutes later, I was standing on Main Street with fire officials and others, trying to provide aid in any way I could.  The historic Weil’s Department Store Building was in a steaming heap with multiple fire departments pouring water on what was left.  It was a sorrowful day, but the best of Hillsboro and beyond were on the street trying to mitigate the damages.  To see the building destroyed and the fire damaging the old Hillsboro Pharmacy building and the Delta Drug Building (Jensen Law Offices) was also difficult.  After Covid began to release its grip on all of us, 2022 was supposed to be the comeback year.  Many of the businesses downtown were hanging on by a thread.  The fire was the last thing we wanted or needed.

Today, we are close to the ravages being erased, at least most of them.  The Jensens moved back into their building.  Weichert Realty found a new space.  The Weil’s space will open soon as a new upscale food cart venue and pub, opening the block between Main Street and Lincoln again.  The Hillsboro Pharmacy, which many of us consider the heart of Downtown with its iconic Soda Fountain and breakfast counter, will return this year.   And we will get back to business.  As this recovery continues, the new Main Street Commons in the US Bank space has welcomed Backwoods Brewing Company, Grand Central Bakery, and soon two other offerings.  Blue Oxe Axe throwing opened in the old Copperstone Space, and the new Merrill Gardens at seven stories high is near opening on 4th and Main.  New businesses like Favis Fabulous Cakes and Top Burmese have also opened.  So this year, we return to full speed and then some in old town.

While things will never be the same, they will be better.  This is a time to remember the Weils building.  We can honor the service of our fire teams and first responders, and we can mourn the loss of Ronnie Knapp, who died while sleeping in the building that fateful night.

I also want to thank, on behalf of the people of Hillsboro, the owners of LaMixteca Oaxaca (230 E Main St, Hillsboro, OR 97123).  Jose and Lucia are next to our space, and they caught the whole event, including the arsonist, on camera and provided that evidence to authorities, which led to the arrest of Roel Leon.  The video they have over 30 minutes shows a madman in full color repeatedly entering and leaving the building in the wee hours of the night, watching the fire grow, and at one point filming the fire and dancing like The Joker in delight.  These fine people were never properly thanked.  They could have sold that film, which would have gone viral, but they did not do that.  They are among the finest of people you could ever know and heroes in this story, too.  After the fire, they were evicted from 1/2 of their restaurant space and nearly lost their business.  The City officials erected a wooden wall against our side of Main, blocking all business access from LeStuff Antique Mall to US Bank.  Imagine not having any way to survive through that year.  A few of us down there know- and thank God we made it.

Hillsboro has a long history; fire has visited downtown many times over the decades.  The Weil’s Fire remains a reminder of its power and the power of Community.  Here is to 2024 and a full recovery for all those affected after all this time.