Work is afoot at a downtown Butler shoe store that was damaged in the Sir Speedy fire in January.

Jimmy Chiprean, owner of Miller's Shoes at 215 S. Main St. in Butler, said the 129-year-old store will see a grand reopening event in mid or late July.

“We just want to rise from the ashes,” Chiprean said.

He said he hopes to be able to sell most of the 3,000 pairs of shoes that were in the store Jan. 30, when a fire started in the back of the former Sir Speedy print shop two doors down.

The heavy smoke from the fire didn't damage Chiprean's stock, but caused a smoky smell that rendered the shoes, boots, clothing and accessories unsalable.

The stock was removed by a crew soon after the fire and taken to an ozone room, which removed the smell from the stock.

Chiprean said insurance has paid for most expenses that resulted from the blaze, which will allow him to reopen bigger and better than ever.

Next week, heavy equipment will be moved to the store to fix up the roof, which sustained heat and water damage during the fire.

“Just the heat alone melted a lot of things up there,” Chiprean said. “We couldn't look at it in February because of the snow.”

He said no loafers will be welcome next week, when jobs like painting, cleaning and replacing lighting also will begin.

The air scrubbers set up in the days after the fire by remediation crews continue to run full time in their sole effort to eliminate the smell from the building.

“Now that Sir Speedy is down, the smell is starting to leave,” Chiprean said.

The longtime shoe salesman said he hasn't been resting on his laurels since the fire.

“I'm still uptown every day for four or five hours,” he said.

He recalled a small fire that closed the store in 1980, which in turn caused a remodel and a fire sale.

“People were lined up around the block for that fire sale,” Chiprean said. “Those were just good times.”

He said people have been calling the store regularly to report that they won't buy new shoes until Miller's reopens.

Chiprean appreciates his loyal customers, many of whom are older adults whose baby shoes were purchased at the store.

“I have one picture with five generations who came into the store and got baby shoes,” Chiprean said.

Joe and Judy Neigh of Butler have been buying all their footwear from Miller's Shoes for more than 50 years.

“I like the personal service I get there,” Judy Neigh said. “The Chiprean boys are wonderful.”

She recalled being upset at hearing a fire was raging just steps away from her favorite shoe store.

“I thought 'Oh please!'” Judy Neigh said. “I was worried when they didn't reopen because I need shoes, but now I'm told they're going to reopen and I'm so excited.”

The couple enjoys interacting with Chiprean and his brothers each time they come to shop.

“It's entertaining just to go in,” Joe Neigh said.

Chiprean said his parents, Jim and Madeline Chiprean, and brothers Anthony and Johnny have been soldiering on since the fire.

“They are doing fine,” Chiprean said. “The night of the fire we all ended up down at the Monroe (Hotel) for dinner and people were coming up to the table.”

He looks forward to getting a kick out of the store's grand reopening in July.

“Let's have some fun and sell some shoes,” Chiprean said.