Latest news with #CEIBookstore
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After 2 months, bookstore damaged by tornado is back in business
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — Nearly three months after a tornado swept through the downtown Athens square and ripped apart the CEI Bookstore, the community staple is back in business. 'It was no doubt a disaster yet at the same time just an opportunity for us to sprout and grow again,' said Lance Taylor, the Director of Operations for the store. Alabama House passes grocery tax cut bill The new location is on Washington Street, just around the corner from its original location on Marion. 'Since 1955 CEI has been providing things for folks here in Athens, for Christians especially and we want to keep it going,' Taylor said. 'Here we are in 2025 and it's kind of a fresh start in some ways.' Taylor said it was almost midnight on December 28 when he was awakened by a shocking text message from a neighbor who informed him that the entire roof of the bookstore was lying in the middle of Marion Street. Thousands of books were thrown across the floor and its brick walls crumbled to the ground. Protesters call for more support for veterans on second day of Huntsville-area protest 'It was nearly a total loss on inventory, a near total loss on electronics and computers systems and things like that,' Taylor explained. Taylor told News 19 that there was an estimated more than $500,000 in damages to the interior contents of the store from the storm. After months of countless hours of repurchasing and restocking, a caring community is thankful for the store's return. 'It's very good that they are staying in business because they have been around for quite a while and it's just a part of this area,' said John Donavan, a regular customer at CEI. 'People have shown that they care about us, and they want to keep doing business with us and we really appreciate that,' Taylor said. Taylor is hopeful that the original building can be renovated for use. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Athens community begins to clean out CEI Bookstore
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — The Athens community wrapped its arms around one of the small businesses impacted by an EF-1 tornado last December Saturday. Community members came out to CEI Bookstore to help clean out the inside of the building which had its roof ripped off, ruining everything inside. Thousands of books were thrown across the floor and its brick walls crumbled. Athens-Limestone County 911 awarded 'PSAP of the Year' for state Lance Taylor, the director of operations at the bookstore, said he put the word out Friday about the clean-up day. By Saturday morning, more than a dozen volunteers showed up to begin clearing debris. 'This will give the building side of things the opportunity to bring contractors in to take a look at getting started on reconstruction,' said Taylor. 'They believe that the structure's sound enough to put a roof back on.' Joel Lynn was one of the volunteers who pitched in Saturday. He is a long-time customer who couldn't believe the tornado's destruction of the building. 'We lost this building but didn't lose the business. This CEI store has done a lot of good for a lot people for a lot of years and I'm thankful for that,' said Lynn. 'I'm also thankful to be able to help clean up today, we've had some wonderful volunteers, we've had a whole crowd of them.' Taylor said the business will soon open up shop in the old Estes & Son building at 103 Washington Street in downtown Athens. He said the best way to follow along and stay up to date with the business is to follow its social media accounts or visit the website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CEI Bookstore recovering from tornado damage
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — A local business is working to rebuild after its building was severely damaged by a tornado. At the downtown Athens Square, one by one businesses are working to get back up to speed while still trying to dig itself out of the debris. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. The roof of the CEI Bookstore was completely torn off by the Dec. 28 tornado. The store is struggling to recover the building a month later. 'It was really surreal and it's hard to put into words,' said Lance Taylor, the Director of Operations for CEI. Taylor said it was almost midnight when he was awakened by a shocking text message from a neighbor who informed him that the entire roof of the building that stood since the 1950s was lying in the middle of Marion Street. 'By morning we could really see the extent of the damage, just not a stitch of roof and because of that all paper materials and books were destroyed,' Taylor said. 'We knew that it would be very little that we would be able to salvage.' 3 arrested after officers find over a quarter pound of meth, other drugs in search The impact of the EF-1 tornado is still visible at CEI. Thousands of books were thrown across the floor and its brick walls crumbled to the ground. But thanks to neighbors the store now operates in a temporary warehouse adjacent to it until insurance determines if the building can be salvaged. 'That would have to be decided by us as well as the property owner,' Taylor explained. 'We're working closely with them to go forward on that and once we hear from insurance and also the engineers, we'll know what can be done to the building.' Taylor added that they have been doing a lot of online work and shipping orders while trying to recover from the devastation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
