‘Let’s do this thing’

The Rub concert raises nearly $10,000 for victims of fire

COEUR d’ALENE — Since a Jan. 20 fire destroyed Schmidty’s Burgers, owners Nathan and Denise Schmidt have been without the income from their business of six years.

So when they were given a check for nearly $2,000 Wednesday, emotions rose to the surface. They were thankful.

“It means a lot to us,” Denise Schmidt said. “Just the community itself has been nothing but love and support.”

The Schmidts operated the Fourth Street eatery as a team. Nathan ran the kitchen, while Denise was in front, greeting, serving and making sure customers were all good.

It worked.

Schmidty’s Burgers was thriving — before the fire. They haven’t found a new home and six weeks later, are still considering their next steps. They do know one thing: they want to return to work.

“We’re not working at the moment, so this is a lot,” Denise said. “This means a lot to us.”

Five businesses received their share of the proceeds from Saturday’s fundraiser. About 400 people attended The Rub concert at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, which donated the space.

Musician Michael Koep of The Rub said when he heard about the fire on the 200 block of north Fourth Street that destroyed the homes of six businesses — including Heart of the City Tattoo, Michael Score Farmers Insurance Agency, 7/20 Haberdashery, Cole Taylor Salon and Emerge — he called his bandmates.

“We just decided, ‘Let’s do this thing,’” he said. “Let’s get together and see if we can make them some money.”

They did. Try nearly $10,000.

The funds were presented during a brief ceremony at the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce. Michael Score Farmers Insurance Agency declined the donation and asked that its share of the fundraiser go to the other businesses affected by the fire.

Koep hopes it helps take some of the stress from the owners. It could be used for groceries, bills, rent — wherever it is needed.

“When you have a month or two off, because your business burned down, that’s a tough deal,” he said. “I hope you guys can use the cash.”

Tyler Davis with Live After 5 stepped up to promote the event. He, too, knew he wanted to help the fire victims.

“We wouldn’t be anything without the community,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to live in a community like Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls that truly cares about its residents and businesses.”

“Something like this would devastate, really, anybody,” Davis added.

The Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance chipped in with proceeds from ticket sales during its Mardi Gras Krewe d’Alene 2020 celebration at the Eagles Club on Saturday.

All of it was touching to Jeni Hegsted, founder and director of Emerge, an art collective with a gallery, studios and workshops.

She said it wasn’t about the money.

“Just the fact that you guys cared,” she said. “We wanted to have that pity party, but we can’t.

“What other community rallies together like this and just says, ‘Hey, we’re going to support you,’” she added.

Luis Gomez, owner of 7/20 Haberdashery & Tailor Shop, reopened last month — exactly one month after the fire — just a block south on Fourth. But it’s not been an easy recovery as he rebuilds his business.

So the gift Wednesday, he said, gave him hope.

“It gives us encouragement that the community is helping us out,” he said. “It helps us not to quit. Yeah, it helps us not to quit.”