WEIDMAN, Mich. - It's been a little over a month since the February 12 fire decimated Fiorillo Woodworking, a custom woodshop in Weidman, Michigan. But owner Mike Fiorillo plans to rebuild, and he will be aided by a GoFundMe campaign that his three daughters launched.
Fiorello's business was well liked in his area, popular with consumers and businesses - especially restaurants who employed him to produce all things fine carpentry, from wooden signage to shelving to dining furniture. The frigid Michigan weather only added to the woe any woodworker feels if his means of production, including favorite tools, are lost.
Fiorillo's daughters Hannah and Sarah have been involved in his business both in production and marketing efforts. Their latest support comes in an effort to rescue Fiorillo Woodworking on a GoFundMe campaign that has already garnered support from 120 people, getting 20 percent of the way to a goal of $50,000 to rebuild the shop and get new tools and equipment.
Here's how they laid out the case:
"Our dad’s world has just been turned upside down. On the evening of Feb. 12, 2019 our dad’s self-built, wildly successful, brick and mortar business went up in flames. This 110-year-old property will never be the same.
Growing up, our dad took a risk, quit his regular 9-5 job and started his own woodworking business. It took time and patience and was certainly a labor of love. He grew his business slowly and steadily, first with local jobs and has since expanded to doing various projects all over the state of Michigan and beyond.
Once the shop is back in action, Fiorelli will resume building his specialties, which include:
- Custom wooden signs for business, institutional and residential purposes
- Finish carpentry
- Personalized outdoor items
- Parts manufacturing
- Home deco
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