Fire.

That is the last thing I want to hear. About my home, or my business. But early in the morning on March 11, that is what I heard. I was still in bed; Mike did his best to wake me up. I was not waking easily.

Fire.

Still groggy, we drove down the hill to see what was going on at the shop. All the way there, I was hoping. Hoping that it was not true. Hoping that it was some other location. Hoping that it was not all gone. We turned down 15^th Street, and as we approached Market I could see a truck on the corner unhooking from the fire hydrant. That was not good; there is a fire hydrant right near the shop. They needed two.

We parked near the Union 76 gas station, I think. But now it is all a blur. We crossed the street; it was easier because the street was half closed. I tried not to run. I don’t know if I succeeded.

The smell. No flames, but I could smell it had happened. But the shop was still there. I felt gratitude for that.

I don’t remember the sequence, I don’t even remember faces. But the SFFD was great. They showed me what had happened. They let me into the shop. They interviewed me about the fire. They thought it was deliberate. My heart sank. There was no time to think of who, no time to worry at that moment. I had to answer the investigator’s questions.

The neighbors were awesome. I think they called 911. But again, I don’t remember. I do remember they hugged me. I do remember Mike hugged me and told me we would be ok. I do remember friends showing up to help. BEFORE dawn.

I have cried. How could I not cry? I have been working on this business since 2004. And someone set a fire in the basement? We do not know who set the fire. Of course I cried. But the things that really choked me up were the visits, the phone calls, the corned beef dinner, and the hugs. The amount of support I have been given. The offers of a place to work, the hundred offers of “whatever you need Joe, I will do it.” It is hard not to be grateful.

And then the fund for the barber’s, some very good men, good friends of mine, set up a fund to help the barber’s through this period of lost income. As of Sunday March 18, they have raised almost $8,000.

But I am grateful. I have hundreds; probably thousands of good loyal customers who helped me build this business. I have 9 other barbers, countless friends, and a large and supportive family who have helped me build this business.

I will not let any of you down. We will re-open this amazing shop, this place of great cuts and happy times. We will have the magic of Joe’s Barbershop again.

I promise.