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Christian Caine finds new, temporary home due to smoke damage

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Nov 5, 2021

Christian Caine owner and head designer Christopher Rankin stands by one of his jewelry displays in the Clarion Inn's foyer on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Tuesday, Christian Caine reopened its doors in a new location — the Clarion Inn, located at 233 Lowe Drive. After an arsonist set fire on Sept. 28 to the business’ neighboring Maddex Square storefront, DVape Shop, Christian Caine’s store underwent significant smoke damage, forcing it to close its doors to the public.

Thankfully, the fire didn’t start until about half an hour after the jewelry store’s business hours ended, keeping its staff and customers out of harm’s way.

“We are displaced,” said Christian Caine owner and head designer Christopher Rankin on Saturday afternoon. “We can’t inhabit our store until the litigation is complete, because there was extensive smoke damage caused by the fire. It’s probably going to be until February before we can move back in.”

Rankin said some issues, such as a higher deductible, have resulted from DVape Shop having no insurance. However, Christian Caine’s full insurance coverage, as well as the shopping center company’s insurance, will cover the bulk of the storefront’s interior and structural damage. Smoke damage to the jewelry was thorough, forcing Christian Caine’s staff to painstakingly clean each piece, to return everything to its original, pristine condition. Unfortunately, some of the business’ special machinery and all of its computers were irreparably damaged by the smoke, according to Rankin.

“This forced us to close for five weeks,” Rankin said, mentioning that up to the arson incident, sales had been excellent this year, following one of its lowest years since opening in Maddex Square 30 years ago. “It was a very painful year last year — our COVID year was one of the worst years we’ve ever had. Conversely, this year has been one of the best years we’ve ever had, so we hope the fire didn’t derail all of that.”

Christian Caine is currently the temporary resident of the Clarion Inn's foyer and second floor. Tabitha Johnston

After recognizing the lengthy closure caused by the damage would force Christian Caine to lose out on its biggest sales holidays — Christmas and Valentine’s Day — Rankin started looking for a space in which to temporarily relocate and reopen. Soon after, he found the perfect solution — the Clarion Inn, owned by his friends, the Lowe family.

“We were blessed that the hotel had not resumed business as a hotel yet,” Rankin said, mentioning it had closed due to COVID-19 safety concerns. “There are no plans to reopen the hotel anytime soon, so we’ll have an indefinite stay here.”

On Tuesday, Christian Caine reopened to the public, with its show room in the Clarion’s foyer, its jewelry manufacturing facility operating from the inn’s second story and its offices taking over part of the Clarion Inn’s office space. It is maintaining the same hours as it did in its Maddex Square store: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 304-876-1313 or visit https://www.christiancaine.com.

Christian Caine jewelry displays are set up around the Clarion Inn's foyer. Tabitha Johnston