Hamburg couple loses shop in roof collapse from snow storm

HAMBURG, N.Y. – A local store in Hamburg that sells sports apparel and gifts had to be torn down Saturday after the weight of the snow from the lake effect storm imploded the roof and compromised the foundation.

“We’ve been open six years and we’ve had some bad snow storms but we never anticipated anything like this happening,” said Scott Schranz, who opened Nickel City Designs on Buffalo Street with his husband and business partner, Chris, in 2016.

Scott was the graphic designer and Chris managed the sales and marketing. The popular shop, which sold Buffalo Bills and Sabres gear and gifts, was a dream come true that quite literally came crashing down when the lake effect storm dumped more than 80 inches of snow on the town.

“The weight of the snow on top of the building basically split the front of the building down the middle and pushed out the sides,” said Schranz.

“By Saturday morning the town had ordered an emergency demolition and by Saturday (yesterday) it was gone.”

Everything inside was gone too, much of it handmade and customized. Schranz estimates he lost about $40,000-50,000 worth of merchandise.

The couple watched their business crumble on none other than Small Business Saturday.

“The Christmas season in general for small businesses is the life blood. It’s what keeps you going the rest of the year so not being able to participate in it was tough,” said Schranz.

But Scott’s cousin, Colby Cihak, stepped in to help, creating a Go Fund Me page that has already raised more than $5,000 to help replace crafting materials lost in the emergency demolition, and keep the business afloat.

“My cousin and his husband are artists, and this is their canvas, and seeing it get destroyed has not only been hard for them, but also on the community,” said Cihak.

Cihak is only 16 years old and attends Canisius High School.

“That’s what Canisius has taught us to do, be a man for others,” he said.

It was an undertaking that not only gave Scott and Chris hope for the future, but restored their faith in humanity.

“We’ve always been supported here but to see all the messages and well wishes from people in the area, it’s very humbling,” said Schraz.

“I usually cry at night when I read it. It’s really emotional.”

The owners have plans to rebuild but are unsure where yet.

If you’d like to donate, you can do so on the Go Fund me page here.