KULPMONT - Almost a year after a fire destroyed Pappy Baluta and Sons Plumbing and Heating business, owner Ed Baluta cut the ribbon to open a new store located where the old one used to stand.
"The fire took the property, but not his spirit," said Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis, a life-long friend of Baluta. "Eleven months ago, I remember standing there with Ed watching the fire when he promised to rebuild. I'm glad that he did and decided to stay in the borough."
On July 15, 2010, a fire that started in an upstairs apartment destroyed the building at 940 Chestnut St. (Route 61) that housed two apartments and Baluta's business for 25 years.
On Monday, family, friends, local officials and representatives from the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the reopening of the beloved local family business.
"The business is an asset to the area and the local homeowners," said County Commissioner Frank Sawicki. "It's much easier to grow our own businesses than attract new ones. They stay during hard times."
Turlis said the small, family-like community is glad to see the business return.
"There's not too many family businesses left," said Turlis.
Although Baluta said that the fire destroyed almost everything, it didn't stop him from serving loyal customers from the store's garage and his nephew's warehouse. Baluta was pleasantly surprised by the community's support through cards, letters and donations of money and work space.
"I couldn't believe all the kindness and support," said Baluta.
Baluta posted the correspondence on a bulletin board at the new store.
"It was an unbelievable response," he said. "I sent cards back to those who donated money and told them that I was going to pass it on to the people upstairs who lost everything."
It's that caring and unselfishness that made Pappy Baluta and Sons Plumbing and Heating so cherished in the community during its 25 years, and Baluta said it is going to continue that way, even if he is thinking about retirement. His nephew, John Baluta, will take control of the business.
Pappy Baluta and Sons is already thinking about the future by looking into new technology and the latest equipment to provide better efficiency and a cleaner environment.
"We're going to try and corner that market in this area," said Baluta. "Other than that, we will continue to remain self-sufficient and keep the same routine."