SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - East Adams Street in Downtown Springfield officially reopened on April 22nd following a devastating fire that caused the street to close in June 2024.

One of the businesses affected by the fire was Itty Bitty Fashion Trunk. Co-owner Krissy Prellwitz recalled the day of the fire, describing it as a devastating experience.

"It was just really devastating to see your neighbors places of business go up in flames and not really sure what was going to happen from that day moving forward," said Prellwitz. 

Itty Bitty Fashion Trunk reopened on Tuesday after being closed for 10 months. The owner says the influx of foot traffic has been wonderful, and she hopes it continues.

"it was really wonderful to see the foot traffic increase basically from Tuesday on. You're just having a lot more people who are excited to come and see and they're like 'oh, I haven't been able to walk on Adams street for 10 months now'," said Prellwitz. 

Gordon Davis, Co-Founder of Whimsey Tea Company, noted that the effects of the street closure lasted long after the fire. He mentioned that there was a significant decrease in foot traffic.

"Foot traffic as way, way down. Anytime a new barrier is erected, the people on the other side of that barrier are always affected to a greater or lesser extent," said Davis.  

But now that the street has reopened, Davis said he's hopeful for the future.

"I feel hopeful now. I think that the thing is, our community has shown up. They've been supportive and that adds up. I feel blessed that we got the community we have. And without that community, I don't think anybody would have made it," said Davis. 

The Assistant Manager of Buzz Bombs, Sarah Trader, reports that following the fire, many customers mistakenly believed that their bar had permanently closed as a result. This uncertainty led to a significant drop in their customer base.

However, with East Adams Street now reopened, she believes that business will return to normal.

"With the street opening, the farmers market moving back, we have some street festivals and marathons coming up this summer that won't have to reroute their planned routes, and it'll come right in front of here to bring foot traffic down East Adams street," said Trader.

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