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After fire, women receives help to rebuild her shop
After fire, women receives help to rebuild her shop
MOUNT PLEASANT (WITI) -- Cheryle McNeese's shop, Hogg Heaven, was destroyed in a fire in 2011 and in an attempt to get business going again, she relocated and spent the past two years trying to rebuild what she had.
"I lost everything, my bike, my parrot, everything that I had acquired for 20 years. You know, you can't replace it," McNeese explained.
After her store burned down, McNeese's friends decided to pool together resources to help her rebuild by taking advantage of the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson.
McNeese's store supplies leather tops and clothing. However, because of the relocation, business just hasn't been the same.
"We're kind off the beaten path over here," McNeese said.
McNeese's friend, Angel Cihler, agreed saying, "I know she's missing out on a lot of business and stuff like that because of the fire."
To help McNeese get a boost, her friends decided to combine photography, leather tops, motorcycles and models all together into a calendar. They will sell the calendars at a booth during the 110th Harley-Davidson anniversary celebrations. The proceeds will help McNeese buy a new shop.
"It would get her back to where she was before the fire," said the calendar's photographer, John Bolton.
Cihler modeled for the calendar and hopes it gives McNeese the boost she needs.
"For her to be able to have what she had before would be really great," Cihler said.
McNeese said she hopes the Harley-Davidson festival will give her the exposure her business needs and is grateful for her the help of her friends.
"You can't explain it, to have friends like that, that will do something when you're down and out," McNeese added.
The calendars will be sold at a booth in the Italian-American Community Center during the festival. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Veterans of America Motorcycle Club.