One decade ago: a fire engulfed the historical Bissell Building in Ridgefield

Ten years ago today, a roaring fire engulfed the historical Bissell building on Main Street causing the Ridgefield landmark to collapse. 

Ed Karvosky who owns Bissell Pharmacy with his wife Sue, recalls, "Ten years ago today, I left this beautiful pharmacy location for a 4 day weekend. It was a Wednesday night." What happened next was unfathomable, "The next day the building burned to the ground."

Ridgefield rallied behind Ed, Sue, and the pharmacy. "If not for the support of the many wonderful people of Ridgefield, Bissell Pharmacy would have ended there," Ed says.

Thanks to Billy Craig, owner of Craig's Fine Jewelry, Bissell was open for business one day after the fire. "We operated out of the basement [of the jewelry store] for about two and a half weeks," says Ed.  

Bissell Pharmacy moved from the basement of Craig's to a small space on Governor Street. Owned by the Couri family, Bissell Pharmacy has occupied (and grown) in their Governor Street location since 2005.

Ed is sentimental when he talks about his extreme gratitude to the entire Ridgefield Community. He mentions a few organizations and people in particular, "The Couri family, Ridgefield Supply, Fairfield County Bank, John Frey, The Ridgefield Playhouse (who held a benefit for us after the fire) all helped so much."

Bissell Pharmacy, which now includes upscale boutique "The Loft at Bissell", has overcome some of life's greatest obstacles thanks to its Ed and Sue Karvosky, their wonderful (always smiling) staff, and the support of the wonderful community of Ridgefield.

Ed shared this photo of the pharmacy, pre-fire. "I had just decorated the windows. The photo was taken a day or two before the fire," he says.