By Gail McCarthy
Seaside Graphics, the multi-service graphics center at 27 Railroad Ave., is back in business after a flood closed its doors just before the holidays.
Co-owners Bill and Alexia Loiacano were preparing to celebrate 10 years in business. But they had a setback when a frozen sprinkler line burst in a foreclosed condominium above their business and flooded their retail outlet.
"But we're doing whatever we have to do in order to keep the business running," said Bill Loiacano. "This is our little family-owned business. This is our 10-year anniversary but I didn't plan on this. But when we're back in our permanent site, we will have an anniversary party."
In the meantime, the Loiacanos are doing business across the street at 26 Railroad Ave., in the space between Jim's Bagel & Bake Shoppe and Reis Brazilian Meat Market.
The company made its name catering to Cape Ann businesses and using state-of-the-art technology.
Bill Loiacano, Seaside's president, said the business offers an extensive range of services including signage, lettering, laminates, color print and copy, blue prints, canvas and clothing prints, from bus-poster size down to wallet-size business cards.
The business had several locations including shops on Witham, Whittemore and Washington streets, before Seaside Graphics bought a condo unit in the new building on Railroad Avenue near the train stop.
The extensive water damage occurred in the wake of the blizzard over the weekend of Dec. 19.
"An employee was there working and heard water running like a shower and the ceiling started letting go," said Bill Loiacano. The equipment as well as the interior of the business were also extensively damaged.
"But we are now able to do everything that we could do before," he said.
While the regular shop undergoes an estimated six weeks of reconstruction, the business has resumed processing orders from its temporary quarters from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Loiacano or a member of his staff can be reached at 978-281-0960, or by e-mail at print@seasidegraphics.com.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com
