Ansonia Santeria Shop Rises From Ashes

April 5, 2010

Author: Patricia Villers

Source: New Haven Register

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/04/05/news/valley/b2-mon-reopening.txt

A shop that sells items for followers of the Santeria religion has reopened after a December fire destroyed its stock.

Botanica Okalanque is open at 150 Wakelee Ave., at the corner of Hall Street.

Marie Rodriguez of Ansonia, who owns the shop with her husband, Jose Rodriguez, said they are thrilled to be back in business after more than three months. “We’ve been through the wringer and back,” she said. “God willing, we’ll gets lots of blessings.”

The fire Dec. 8 had broken out in the stock room at the rear of the 94 Main St. shop, on the first floor of the former Ansonia Opera House building.

Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley said the cause of the fire had been ruled “undetermined.”

Marie Rodriguez said all they were able to salvage were glass display cases and some shelving. “All of our merchandise was lost.” She said the first few days after the fire are all a blur to her. “I was in complete shock,” she said, and cleaning up got so bad that she had to hire people to help. “It was not pretty. It was so emotional.”