Businesses recover after Pocatello fire

Almost six months after the Monarch fire, impacted businesses in Pocatello’s Old Town area are getting back to normal.

The September fire cost 14 people and three businesses their homes. The building still stands on its spot on Center Street, but the boarded-up doors and smoke damage serve as a reminder of the fire. The community is still deciding on the future of the building.

Stephanie Palagi, the executive director for Old Town Pocatello, Inc., said, “We’ve been working to make sure that the end result – whether it’s demolition or saving the facade, doing an infill project or housing project – is available to the property owners to the Old Town area.”

Intattooitive was in the Monarch’s basement for 18 years before the fire. The tattoo shop was out of business for four months before moving into a new location with fellow Monarch business Pegasus on First Avenue.

Owner of Intatooitive Jan Mattingly is just happy to be working again.

“It’s not quite as busy, but we’re back to doing what I love and I’m willing to do whatever that takes,” she said.

Some businesses surrounding the Monarch, like First National Bar, suffered heavy smoke and water damage. The bar was closed for three weeks and had to replace the carpet and various equipment, as well as clean the walls due to water absorption. It’s back to business as usual.

“Our business has been as strong or stronger than ever,” said Ross Gutterude, owner of First National Bar.

Other businesses that were affected by the fire were jewelry stores Molinelli’s and Studio 118. Both have made the necessary repairs to reopen to the public. Also, two new businesses have opened in the area since the fire, one as recently as two weeks ago.