Several small business owners in Sacramento are trying to rebuild after a fire destroyed their shops at the back of the Folsom Boulevard Flea Market.
The fire happened late Friday afternoon. It wrecked a small building known by customers and business owners as the “Red Barn.”
David Smith, owner of Dave’s Retro Video Games, could only watch as a lifetime of collecting turned into ash. Smith estimates about 20,000 vintage video games were destroyed, with a value of around $500,000.
“33 years here and it’s all dust now. There’s nothing left. It all got burned and fried,” Smith said.
Along with Dave’s Retro Video Games, a bicycle shop and art collective used the building. A clothing business also used part of the barn for storage.
The owners said they will miss the people they encountered at the location, where they said there was always a lot of foot traffic and people were great to work with.
“Our space has been this organically growing place for people to just come and create and find camaraderie and community. And it’s been incredibly beautiful,” Mary Sand, founder of The Red Barn Collective, said.
“It’s been fun. I just love the atmosphere here, and it’s been a blast,” Smith said.
The business owners said what remains of the Red Barn will be demolished as they figure out their next steps. Customers who saw the damage Saturday afternoon were shocked by the loss.
“It’s heartbreaking. Dave put a lot into the business. Every weekend,” customer Randy Masaki said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Although David Smith lost his entire collection at the flea market, he still had many games at his home. He is planning on selling them all at the Sac Gamers Expo. It’s happening Halloween weekend at Cal Expo, where David and his collection can be checked out.
The Red Barn Collective is looking to rebuild following the fire and can be found on social media here, where they are looking for support as they recover.
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