Sans Market in the EDGE District struggles to stay afloat after hurricane damage
/The significant roof damage at the building housing sans market in downtown st. pete | photo provided
As Hurricane Milton’s 83 miles per hour winds ripped through St. Pete last week, the roof at Sans Market in downtown St. Pete started to peel back, leaving gaping holes throughout the store.
Heavy rain poured into the shop at 1037 Central Avenue, drenching drywall and cabinets, and ruining 20% of the inventory at the zero-waste lifestyle store that carries paper goods, plant-based products, and organic soaps.
The shop has been a community staple in the EDGE District for the past six years with the mission of helping people move away from single-use plastic, toxins, and excess packaging by selling reusable and natural material products.
As if the storm damage wasn’t bad enough, Sans Market was already struggling to stay afloat.
“We just experienced the slowest summer on record and this week our business account dropped into the negatives - that's how tight we are,” Sans Market co-founder and owner Eniko Olah said to St. Pete Rising.
"We are in a precarious place right now. I want to pull through this and be here next year."
Sans Market first started as a pop-up in St. Pete and had a home in Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse before opening a brick-and-mortar storefront on Central Avenue.
Eniko posted videos on Facebook this past week documenting the damage from the roof damage which allowed water to pour into the shop, causing the business to lose over $25,000 worth of inventory, electronics, and furniture, which is not covered by their insurance.
“There are holes throughout the back half of the store where I had placed electronics and inventory for safekeeping during the storm and that's where the rain came in,” she said.
Earlier this week, Olah and her employees placed stacks of wet business documents on the Central Avenue sidewalk to dry.
Luckily, the front of the store where more of the expensive items are displayed didn't suffer damage.
Sans Market co-founder and owner Eniko Olah inside Sans Market | photo provided
A tarp has been draped over the building's roof as restoration work gets underway.
However, the shop will still need to replace furniture, fixtures, signage, office equipment, and drywall, in addition to paying owed wages to staff.
To assist, Sans Market has created a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $25,000. The business has raised over $5,000 to date.
Neighboring businesses Ashe Couture Boutique and Poppo's Taqueria have also stepped in, donating fans, a dehumidifier, and cleaning supplies to help Sans Market get back on their feet.
“I can feel the love,” Olah said. “The community has really stepped up to help us out.”
Luckily, Sans Market is up and running again.
“If you visit the store, everything may look nice and clean, but behind the scenes we are really struggling,” Olah said. “Come visit us! We have laundry detergent, toilet paper, eggs, honey, notebooks. Every item sold helps us keep the lights on.”
Sans market is located at 1037 central Avenue in the EdGE District of St. Petersburg | photo provided
In addition to purchasing items from the shop, those wanting to support Sans Market can donate directly to the GoFundMe.
Olah will also be hosting a St. Pete Relief event in early November at the store. Local makers who have their products will be there selling and giving samples of products.
Ticket sales for the event will go towards Sans Market's GoFundMe and they will be raising money at the event for other small local businesses that were impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Be sure to follow Sans Market on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on the store and the upcoming St. Pete Relief event.
