Early morning fire claims Route 9 business

PLATTSBURGH | A devastating early morning fire has claimed a popular Route 9 business, though owners and staff are trying to remain optimistic about a brighter future ahead. Flames erupted inside StoneWorks Massage & Skincare at 7158 Route 9 at about 6 a.m., quickly attracting the attention of staff at the adjacent Dunkin Donuts, who called 911 and helped bring several local fire departments rushing to the area. Within minutes, crews from the City of Plattsburgh, Cumberland Head and District No. 3 fire departments began tackling the growing inferno as flames leapt through the roof and windows and illuminated the darkened dawn sky. As the firefighting efforts were underway, StoneWorks owners Chad Hunkins and Rebecca Albright were alerted to the devastation by text. Hunkins and Albright rushed to the area to find only a charred shell of their beloved business remaining. Inside, rubble and debris littered the floors where portions of the roof and exterior walls collapsed in the blaze. The building — which was purchased and renovated just before covid hit — has been deemed a total loss. While reeling in the shock of the fire's aftermath, Hunkins and Albright somberly rallied with staff outside as they began the difficult process of moving forward. StoneWorks was just days away from finalizing plans to move into the former CVPH Rehabilitation and Wellness Center on Tom Miller Road with dreams of a massive expansion and brighter future for staff and clients alike. "Right now, we just have to do what we have to do to get back open," Hunkins said determinedly as NYSEG crews cut off power to the building and he coordinated the beginning steps to recovery. As Albright surveyed the damage and coordinated with staff, she said expansion plans had been underway for several weeks after staff, services and offerings quickly outgrew the 1,000-square-foot location, though nothing prepared them for the unexpected loss of their current treatment center, supplies and merchandise. Once finalized, Albright said, the new location will offer more than three times the number of treatment areas in a much larger 6,000-square-foot setting, along with an inground therapy pool, gym and space for new wellness and health classes. With a staff of roughly 14, SkinWorks offers everything from Swedish massages and esthetician specialties to waxing, dermaplaning, intuitive Reiki, deep-tissue therapy and more. Albright said they will now try to expedite the new location's opening but expect the process to take at least several weeks. No additional information about the fire was immediately available midday Tuesday, though the fire was believed to have originated in a front room and been electrical in nature.

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Early morning fire claims Route 9 business

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