Residents in Lunenburg are rallying around the iconic buggy business Trot in Time following a fire which destroyed the company’s carriage house.
Owner Basil Oickle, who has run the business since 1996, says the fire ripped through the carriage house — which was situated just outside of Lunenburg — on Aug. 31 and destroyed everything inside, including two carriages and other supplies.
Although upset by the damage, Oickle said it was a miracle that no one was hurt during the blaze. None of the horses owned by the business were harmed, either.
But due to the nature of the content inside, the building was uninsured, leaving Oickle scrambling to finish up this year’s tourist season.
Oickle began offering horse-drawn carriage tours in Lunenburg over 20 years ago and the business has grown to become an iconic part of the town’s waterfront during the summers.
“It still doesn’t seem real that I lost everything, including the two wagons,” he said.
He added that the real loss is the wagons, especially since one was the original model and was built in 1888.
“It’s the charm of that wagon that makes it magical,” he said of his business. “I know from my own personal experience.”
For the time being, the company is making due with its two remaining wagons along the Lunenburg Waterfront.
But the town’s business community has rallied around Oickle; a GoFuneMe page has been started to help cover the damages and other fundraisers are currently being discussed.
To date, over 40 people have contributed to the page; roughly $3,000 had been raised as of Sept. 11.
“We are asking if anyone could spare even a little something to help Basil out to rebuild to do so and we know he would truly be thankful from the bottom of his heart to all,” reads the page, which was set up by Shaun Whynacht.
Oickle said everything helps.
“I don’t know how I can thank the folks out there for what they’ve done for me. I just want them to know it’s very much appreciated. I’m just humbled,” he said.
Go online: Donations can be made to https://ca.gofundme.com/f/help-restore-the-trot-in-time-carriage-house.
