Calera community helps local business owner after a fire destroyed his workshop

CALERA, Ala. (WBRC) – The Calera community recently stepped in to help one of their neighbors after a fire destroyed his business Monday.

The fire Monday burned all of Brad Peeks wood carving equipment and his workshop. Peeks owns Top Notch Carvings in Calera.

He creates these incredible wood carvings with just a chainsaw, a business that has become his livelihood.

But after his work shed burned, he had to suspend all of his Christmas orders, not knowing his neighbors were going to help.

What started out as a normal day for Peeks and his wife turned into their worst day after they got an unfortunate phone call.

“I got a phone call from my neighbor saying, hey, Brad, your house is on fire and my heart just sank,” Peeks said.

Luckily, no one was injured and their pets made it out safe, but his business was completely destroyed.

“I was more worried about the customers I have. I’ve got people that have Christmas trees, special orders, and that’s a weekly type thing. I was like, oh my gosh, I don’t have anything that I need and so that impacted me the most is just the tools, the stuff that I’m used to carrying on me everyday is gone,” Peeks said.

That day, Peeks shared on Facebook what happened and Calera resident Jeremy Noble knew he had to do something to help.

“I hope that this will help them at least get a few things so he can actually get back to work because this is it’s a busy time of year for everybody, even if he wasn’t making anything. I mean, Christmas time we all need a little extra money in our pockets.”

The response Peeks received from the Calera community was unlike anything he’s experienced before.

“Overwhelming but in a positive way,” Peeks said.

Peeks says he will be able to get his business back up and running by the end of next week.

If you would like to donate money to peeks, his Venmo is linked here.

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