Go Fund Me started for vendors after Saturday fire in local winery
Published March 28, 2022 at 11:30 am
A Go Fund Me created by the The Mom Market Collective, the group that was hosting a weekend event at Hernder Estate Winery before fire gutted their banquet facilities on Saturday (March 26) night, has already raised over $35,000 of its $50,000 goal in one day.
The fundraiser was created to help the vendors at the “For The Love Of Wine” market being hosted by the winery recoup their lost stock because of the blaze, which started at 10 pm, long after the event had wrapped up for the day.
The event had 34 vendors in total, almost all of whom lost stock, as they were due to resume the market of Sunday.
Because the rural winery, a popular place to host weddings in Niagara, is not on the municipal system – hence no fire hydrants in the area – water tankers had to be brought in to douse the flame, which completely enveloped the winery’s banquet hall.
The blaze was large enough that St. Catharines firefighters were joined by those from Niagara Falls, Thorold, Pelham, West Niagara, West Lincoln and Niagara-on-the-Lake. In the end, it took over 60 firefighters with 21 pieces of equipment to stop the blaze.
While the banquet facilities were gutted, firefighters managed to save the warehouse and production facility, almost three-quarters of the total winery. Four people suffered from minor smoke inhalation but there were no casualities.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik reached out to the Hernder family on social media on Sunday morning over the losses, saying, “Our thoughts are will the Hernder family today (Fred, Chris & Angel and their family and employees) with the devastating loss of the iconic buildings at Hernder Estate Winery.”
He had a nod to the many fire service that jumped in to help contain the fire.
“It has been home to so many weddings and events over the years. Hernder is one of Niagara’s oldest wineries – a pioneer in the grape and wine industry in so many ways. A significant loss for the family and our community.”
St. Catharines councillor Lori Littleton also reached out with her thoughts for the family, relaying a personal connection to the facility. “This is a devastating loss for our community. I was married there along with countless others.”
