SCRANTON — After two water main breaks dealt a devastating blow to downtown businesses in July, Nadine Bryant faced an arduous task to reopen her women’s clothing shop.
The first water main break — near the intersection of North Washington Avenue and Mulberry Street on July 16 — affected approximately 620 customers and forced several downtown businesses to close for multiple days.
Owner of Freedlove Nadine Bryant holds up a few of items for sale in her clothing store on Biden Street in downtown Scranton Wednesday, October 28, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bryant’s store, Freedlove, 532 Biden St., sustained significant damage as water leaked through the ceiling.
“I had to remove all of my inventory — every single thing,” Bryant said. “They had to rip up all the floors, pull down my fixtures, scrape the ceilings and walls, and then replaster and paint them. There were also some structural issues that needed to be fixed. It was a lot.”
The second break — on the 200 block of North Washington Avenue on July 27 — affected about 770 customers. Crews worked overnight to complete repairs by the next morning.
Bryant spent countless hours working “nonstop” during the following weeks to assess the damage and determine the next steps.
“It took three weeks to salvage what I could and come up with a game plan,” she said. “When the second one hit, we were still working to salvage things. We didn’t get more water (damage), but we couldn’t use water when we were trying to clean up. It was very frustrating.”
In addition to the lost inventory, keeping the store closed for three months also impacted business, Bryant said.
“I lost the summer season and now we’re almost at the tail end of fall, so I’m kind of missing that season as well,” she added. “It’s been hard to kind of come back and piece it all together.”
However, Bryant pushed forward and reopened this past Saturday — for the Electric City Fall Festival in downtown Scranton — offering many items at a 50% discount after being closed since July 20.
She welcomed many regular customers along with patrons making their way around the city.
“It’s been a very wild ride,” Bryant said. “Originally, I didn’t know if I would even be coming back. I’m really taking it day by day. It took a lot out of me, especially physically. I say my heart’s in it, but physically I’m struggling. It’s been a long road trying to get back into the swing of things.”
Bryant opened Freedlove in Scranton in 2011 and never seriously considered relocating the store despite the challenges this summer and fall.
“When I first opened, I worked with an architect on the space and put a lot of money into it, and this is where the people know me,” she said.
Bryant received both a financial and spiritual boost in late July when droves of customers showed up to purchase products during a pop-up sale intended to clear out clothes so interior repairs could begin.
Planned as a three-day sale, all the inventory sold out in a day as a line weaved down the block. The response was both shocking and heartwarming, Bryant said.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “It’s hard work running a small business, especially in retail, and that makes you realize you’re appreciated. I just feel supported and you realize what your business means to the community. I always think of this as a place where I want people to come in, take them out of their daily life and be able to find something that brings them joy. It’s kind of what this business has always been.”
As the inventory continues to evolve, Bryant noted it’s geared toward a younger crowd but added that her clientele spans many age ranges.
“I have customers all the way up to their 80s,” she said. “I like to try to have something for everyone.”
Liz Baldi, business development director for Scranton Tomorrow, a nonprofit community and economic development organization, praised Bryant’s determination to revive Freedlove.
“We know it takes a lot, and I’m sure she was under a lot of stress and had a lot of details to go over, but it really meant a lot to her to be able to open back up downtown,” Baldi said. “She has such a strong following and the community really rallied behind her and showed her great support, including her neighboring businesses. Everybody just gave her the encouragement to want to come back.”
Baldi believes the camaraderie between shop owners adds to the allure of establishing a business in the city.
“They work together and we’re thrilled she persevered and made the choice to stay downtown,” she said. “It’s truly a story of resilience.”