By Christina Santucci
One of the owners of a Whitestone auto body shop that was ravaged by a two-alarm blaze over the weekend plans to reopen in an annex next door to his business Monday morning.
“We will continue to serve our community. This will not bring us down,” said owner John Kapsalis, while standing outside the charred building Sunday.
At about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, flames and smoke were spotted at Whitestone Collision, at 150-11 14th Road, by Welcome to Whitestone founder Devon O’Connor.
Kapsalis said he rushed over to his three-year-old business and soon after the fire was considered under control.
“The fire ravaged the entire shop area,” he said, adding that numerous vehicles were also destroyed.
Kapsalis did not have a monetary estimate Sunday of the damage.
Instead, he focused on how the shop would be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. the following day in the annex that borders the business on the western side.
“We are not giving up that easily,” Kapsalis said.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
