Cinnamon Rainbows, North Beach Bar and Secret Spot 'in limbo’ after devastating fire

HAMPTON — A fire may have caused Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. to close its iconic storefront, but it hasn’t stopped owner Dave Cropper from keeping his business alive.

“We’re kind of in limbo right now,” said Cropper, who with his staff is ramping up for the shop's annual Labor Day sidewalk sale this weekend. All sales have been made from the sidewalk since a fire struck Aug. 19 at the plaza on the corner of High Street and Ocean Boulevard.

Cinnamon Rainbows has been on that corner for more than 30 years. Cropper is still waiting to learn what will happen with the badly damaged building, which also included the Secret Spot and North Beach Bar and Grill, from the property owners. He said he holds faith that Cinnamon Rainbows will eventually be back in a storefront, one way or another.

“We’ll be back stronger than ever,” Cropper said.

North Beach Bar and Grill and Secret Spot were severely damaged in the fire. Cinnamon Rainbows did not see flames enter their shop, but smoke damage has forced them to move their operation outdoors where they are still open daily selling boards and suits.

Cropper said the inventory being sold this weekend was not damaged by smoke and had been stored inside a warehouse. The following week, the store will hold its post-fire smoke sale on Sept. 10 and 11 with items half-off.

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Heather Day, Cropper’s wife and partner in the store, said the weekend sales this week and next will be for clothing, shoes and accessories only, not boards and suits. She said none of the items being sold in the Sept. 10-11 sale were damaged by fire, only smoke, and that they are being professionally ozone-treated before going on sale.

Secret Spot wants to return to North Beach spot

Around the corner of the plaza, the words “Aspirando et Perseverando” — to aspire and to persevere in Latin — are written across the board that now covers the burned-out Secret Spot location. Poster board with messages wishing the owners well have been placed in front of the shop, where beachgoers have gone for acai bowls and sandwiches since 2007.

Secret Spot owner Jon Gozzo said losing the eatery to the fire was emotionally difficult for the family, especially their 9-year-old twins, Maeve and Lyona, who grew up in the shop.

“The fact that it is no longer there brings us to tears,” Gozzo said.

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Secret Spot could move to a temporary location if there is one that makes sense, he said, adding “no options are off the table at this point.” Ideally, he said, he has told the building owners that they want to return to their iconic location at North Beach if a rebuild takes place.

“If they bulldoze it and rebuild,” Gozzo said, “We want and plan on being part of that rebuild.”

Meanwhile, Secret Spot has reopened their other location in Durham this week called The Spot. Gozzo said they are proud to have brought acai to Hampton Beach 15 years ago when no other business in New England was offering it. He said Secret Spot is thankful for its staff and customers and hopes to return to their iconic spot at North Beach.

“We have every intention to be back as soon as possible,” Gozzo said. “Secret Spot’s future is on that corner.”

Future of North Beach Bar and Grill up in the air

North Beach Bar and Grill owner Dan Favreau said he is waiting to learn about the future of the building from the owners and the insurance companies for each of the businesses involved. Until then, he has few answers about the future of his bar and restaurant he opened 14 years ago. The restaurant’s patio overlooking North Beach is normally filled most summer days with patrons enjoying food, drink and live music.

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Like Cropper, Favreau used the term “limbo” to describe their current status.

“Right now, with the insurance, that stuff takes time,” Favreau said. “Hopefully, it could be rebuilt.”

The fire took place just after midnight Aug. 19, and Favreau said he has been told by the Hampton fire chief it was likely an electrical fire that started near where the dishwasher is located. He said his wife received an alert for an alarm at the restaurant and went to the site, only to find there was smoke. Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs said at the time that the fire was not believed to be suspicious, and Favreau said he was told the alarm was likely tripped because the backdoor was fried.

“The community’s been great,” said Favreau. “Everyone’s sad to see it go.”

Community rallies behind businesses

Since the fire, community members have raised money through a GoFundMe page that has raised $2,700 for the businesses at the North Beach plaza. Cropper said the outreach from the community has been amazing. Friday morning, Hampton resident and comedian Jimmy Dunn rode by on his bicycle to stop and say hi to Cropper and wish him well.

Cropper said vendors have been understanding about their situation when it comes to merchandise, and that locals have been kind. One person walked up to him to give him a hug, only to stuff $500 into Cropper’s pocket.

“I always feel like we run the shop for the community,” Cropper said. “That sure is what it feels like.”

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cinnamon Rainbows, North Beach Bar, Secret Spot in ‘limbo’ after fire