Wildfires in Colorado have made national headlines since the first of the fires was sparked in June. Efforts to control the flames have made slow but steady progress, with an estimated 70 percent of the flames contained in some areas of the state. Many grassroots businesses are contributing personal and corporate energy to recovery efforts. Among those making strides out of the ashes is American Indoor Flea Market in Colorado Springs, located near the Waldo Canyon zone of the fires. “From our front door you could see the flames and the smoke,” says Carey Adams, owner of American Indoor Flea Market, located at 2727 Palmer Park Boulevard. “The smoke was really, really bad because we’re near the Peterson Air Force Base, about twelve miles from the fire. It definitely affected us for a few days.” Foot traffic is steadily increasing and business is doing well, but the Waldo Canyon fires singed customer activity to less than half the usual amount.
“We’ve donated water and a few things to try and help,” Adams says. “As a business owner you never know what’s going to happen, so you have to try to plan for the unexpected. That’s what makes a successful business.” While Adams says she didn’t plan for a fire, she is mindful of the fact that business can be unpredictable. “You have to save a little bit when times are good so you can ride through times like these,” she continues. The flea market is still open seven days a week and the business is doing what it can to help people in the area.
In addition to owning American Indoor Flea Market, Adams also contributes her time by volunteering as president of the local branch of God’s Pantry, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to provide food and clothing to the underprivileged. The non-profit has recently been contributing to recovery efforts in the wake of the wildfires. With a little teamwork and no shortage on perseverance, the Colorado Springs community continues to rebuild.