Adirondack Exotics owner speaks out one month after fire burned down his pet store
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Less than a month after several buildings in Gloversville were allegedly burned to the ground by a teenager, the owner of one of those buildings is now speaking out about his plans to move forward and the support he’s received. The owner of Adirondack Exotics, a reptile pet store, said he lost everything but has big plans to reopen just a few blocks away from the former store by the end of June.
Darrin Palmateer, the owner of Adirondack Exotics, said just days after a fire ripped through his business, the city came and tore it down. He said the remains of the store and the animals inside it are still there. He's hoping that it can all be cleaned up soon, as he takes steps to open a new store at 25 South Main Street in Gloversville.
Palmateer said with nothing left of his livelihood, he and his partner parted ways in an attempt to restart from the ground up. He said the support from those in the Capital Region and reptile community has allowed him to continue his passion.
"My local community has been outstanding, and then like the hobby, the reptile interactive community has been insane as far as gifts and donations," Palmateer said. "It's like every word matters."
Longtime owners of the Capital District Reptile Expo, Chris Stokna and Frank Townsend, have been a huge part in his recovery, invited him to their reptile event, held at the Albany Capital Center, on Sunday to lift his spirits and get him back on his feet.
"The community has rallied together," Townsend said. "There is folks that have been donating animals to help them get back up and running. There has been monetary donations going to them there has been a GoFundMe."
Palmateer said he hopes that the city takes steps to pick up the wreckage and revitalize other abandoned buildings in Gloversville. He will be updating his Facebook page with details on his journey to a full recovery, and he will be including information about his new store. We reached out to the city of Gloversville, but at this point we have not heard back.