Owner devastated after fire destroys long-time business

CHENANGO — Nathan Sessions’ life was turned upside down at 3:03 a.m. on Dec. 12 when a fire destroyed his long-standing business, Quality Pallet Company.

“Just tears, sadness, overwhelmed, disbelief—it’s changed everything,” Sessions said.

As the owner and operator of the Southern Tier shop that had been around for decades, Sessions was devastated to see his business reduced to ashes.

“I have to fix the concrete, then I have to get a structure put up, and I have no idea yet what that cost is,” he explained.

Sessions revealed that he couldn’t insure the business.

“The pallet business is hard to get insured, and since we had a wood burner inside the building, they wouldn’t insure it. But the size of the building meant there was no other cost-effective way to heat it.”

Part owner of Danow Corporation, Michael Langton, had worked with Sessions for years, supplying nailing and stapling materials for the pallets. Upon learning about the fire, Langton felt compelled to help his longtime colleague.

To help, Langton created a GoFundMe for Quality Pallet Company.

“Every day and every year there’s something bad that happens, but there’s never anything as bad that happens that we can’t help,” Langton said. “So it’s just a case of a little bit from all of us, and a bunch of us can put together another man’s life and the people that work with him.”

Sessions said he is overwhelmed by the support he has already received.

“It’s a great feeling. It’s a feeling I’m not used to—having people give to me. I usually give to people,” Sessions shared. “But I’m a little overwhelmed ‘cause they’ve already raised three thousand, and it’s gonna take more, but every penny helps. Just please help. Thank you.”

The GoFundMe has a goal of $40,000, though Sessions admitted he has no idea how much it will cost to replace the building.

If you’re interested in donating, you can do so at this link.

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