Rome, N.Y. (NCC News) — Engelbert’s Jewelers, one of the many businesses that has faced hardship after a tornado hit Rome, is planning to move back this fall to its original location that was severely damaged. The store moved to a temporary space after the tornado.
Founded in 1907, the jeweler that has been owned by the same family for four generations, had its heating, ventilation and air-condition unit ripped off its roof by the high winds and extensive water damage to the inside.
Owner Sarah Rushton was in Chicago for a jewelry show when the tornado passed through Rome. When she was boarding her flight in Chicago, she got a call from one of her employees telling her what was happening to her business.
“There’s a lot going on here,” Rushton’s employee said. “There’s water coming in everywhere. There’s water going down the stairs and something just came off our roof.” “It was our H-VAC unit it turns out,” Rushton said.
Nobody inside was hurt. Employees were able to gather all the jewelry and protect it in the vault that sits in the back of the store. Most of the inventory was saved as the vault withstood the impact of the storm.
Rushton was able to find another store space on Black River Boulevard, thanks to a family friend who owns commercial property, just 10 minutes from the original location. Engelbert’s moved into the temporary location in October, just three months after the tornado.
Rushton does plan to go back to the original location for many reasons. One reason is that the original store is four times the size of the temporary location.
Rushton filed permits with the city to rebuild and met with an architect to make plans for the next version of her store.
Rushton says customers may not recognize the store when they see it for the first time after the rebuild.
“Everything is going to be totally different. We redesigned the whole inside. We’re going to have less cases. Everything is going to be sort of updated.”
The tornado’s impact and renovation process have Rushton reflecting on the meaning of the family business that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Engelbert’s was founded by Rushton’s great-grandfather.
“Two Engelbert brothers started the company,” Rushton said. “They borrowed money from the church. I bought my dad out and he retired more than 10 years ago at this point. So now it’s just me. I’m the first female owner.”
Transcript:
Thomas Baia, Reporter: July 16, 2024 is a day Rome residents will remember forever.
A tornado caused major damage to many homes and businesses.
Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan wants and hopes the businesses impacted to be up and running as soon as possible.
Jeffrey Lanigan, Mayor: A lot of the businesses that were here in downtown that were affected moved to other locations and reopened throughout the city. Our goal is they’re there now. They’re fixing up their buildings throughout downtown. And we’re hoping that they’ll be back to our downtown and operational hopefully this year.
Thomas Baia, Reporter: One of those businesses is Engelbert’s Jewelers.
Established in 1907, Engelbert’s has been owned by the same family for over a century.
Sarah Rushton, Owner: Two brothers, two Engelbert brothers started the company. They borrowed money from the church. And like I said I’m fourth generation. I bought my dad out and he retired more than 10 years ago at this point. So now it’s just me. I’m the first female owner.
Thomas Baia, Reporter: Rushton was in Chicago during the tornado. But she remembers the exact moment she found out what was happening to her business.
Sarah Rushton, Owner: And I got a phone call from Jen, one of my employees. And she said, “‘There’s a lot going on here. There’s water coming in everywhere. There’s water going down the stairs and something just came off our roof.” It was our H-VAC unit it turns out.
Thomas Baia, Reporter: Rushton says the new store will have a whole new look to it.
Although Rome is not completely back to where it was before the tornado, Mayor Lanigan and business owners are confident that Rome will be back better than before.
Mayor Lanigan’s message to everyone: Stay tuned.
Jeffrey Lanigan, Mayor: See what’s next for the city of Rome. We’ve got a great team here. And everybody is working extremely hard to make this place even better than what it was.
Thomas Baia, Reporter: Reporting from Rome, New York. Thomas Baia. NCC News.