Barrie Business Owner Devastated by Damage from Flooding

After an intense storm Sunday night, the Bayfield Mall in Barrie became flooded. Vincent Booth, the owner of Sir Games-a-Lot, a store located in the mall, said, “Right now, I’m at the lowest. There’s nowhere further down to go.”

Mr. Booth has owned his store for the last 17 years. He and other store owners at the mall have been struggling to survive the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

When he was notified about possible damage at the mall, he rushed to his store and found it completely flooded. He estimates that the damage to his merchandise and store fixtures to be around $10,000. Merchandise wasn’t the only thing damaged. Internet and phone lines, carpeting and filing cabinets full of paperwork were also damage by the water.

“It’s just one thing after another, after another. It’s getting to a point where, I’m almost 60 years old and I’m thinking... what’s the point?” said Booth. “As Nietzsche said, that which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I don’t need any more of this.”

Mr. Booth said within the last five years there have been more than one flooding incident at the mall. He said new owners acquired the mall two years ago and they were probably unaware of the past flooding issues.

At Water Mold Fire Restoration of Toronto we understand that bad things sometimes happen. Nobody is immune to water damage, particularly when it comes from Mother Nature. However, Mr. Booth is wrong about one thing. When buildings and items, whether store merchandise or personal possessions, get damaged by water things can most certainly get worse.

If the water damage is not properly addressed, mold can set in. Things that at one time could have been saved would now have to be discarded due to mold contamination. That is why we urge anyone that has had his or her home or business affected by water to respond to the problem quickly by contacting us. We are a certified water damage and mold remediation company and service the entire Toronto area. We can be contacted at (289) 203-7201 anytime day or night. Our initial inspection and advice are free of charge.