When you drive thru the old City's and Towns of Pa , WV and OH you often come across an old store front that has been renewed and turned into an Antique Mall or Emporium or some times the word Flea market is also used.
They are a really neat concept and fun to shop at or just walk around and see all the neat stuff for sale Its like walking around a mini museum with a mix of new and used merchandise plus overstock and estate sale items There are individual vendor Displays and most places have 100 or more vendors selling all kinds of items
Its a great concept individuals ho want to sell stuff sign up for a space that they rent and the store does the rest . Thou some shops require you come and help sell or stock 1 to 3 days a month and rented spaces go for $100 to 350.00 plus depending how much you want to display and sell
It is a WIN Win for community the old building is preserved and put back on the Tax Roles instead of sitting and decaying.
But there is a problem.
While some buildings have Proper Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs and clearly defined exiting pathways and you can see in the pictures I have posted some of these malls have none or very limited Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs
Many of these stores are also Multi level some as much as four
(4)floors when you count the basement .Some are 1 floor large places built in steel sheeting buildings
Many are in big old Former Furniture or Dept Stores and Super Markets or even old skating rinks and former dance halls.
Some have Full Fire Protection systems. But many do not and if they do they are very limited and of dubious working ability.
Some have sprinklers that are newer generation while some have old unmaintained systems or none at all.
So this is where the problems begin.
In the pictures above as you can see this particular mall in a community next to where I live they have no Emergency or Exit Signage and no fire protection just a couple hand extinguishers and if a fire did break out or power goes out when open in evenings , it would be a nightmare for the shoppers and staff who would be trapped.
I am also sure Local fire company's have no idea whats going on inside as well as they have not done company tours .
That's the problem there are state codes to be followed but many small towns rely on 3rd party inspections and or local officials who do little enforcement.
When I visit these stores I am always looking around where are the exits ,stairs etc.
Because it is too easy to get turned round and get lost.
I very much encourage these stores but at a minimum they need Emergency Lighting and Exit Lighting with clearly defined exit paths and if multi level a fire alarm system to notify staff.
Update :
One such place caught Fire in Rochester Pa. The Pickle Jar Antiques formerly Blue violet Cafe went up in flames on 8/18/22 at 2:30 AM when upstairs apartment caught fire 3 firefighters where hurt
Picture by Megan Schaub
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