COLUMBUS, Ohio — The owner of a small convenience store that sat in the front of the building on East Long Street that partially collapsed Monday morning was devastated to learn the building will have to come down.
According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Building and Zoning, the building will be torn down within the next few days.
"You know how you lose your family? That's how I feel right now. It was a family business,” said Saed Sweilmieen, owner of Old School Carry Outs.
Sweilmieen said he opened the business several years ago and rented the space from the owner of the building. He told 10TV that the store didn’t sell liquor because he wanted it to be a family-friendly place.
Sweilmieen even finished remolding the inside just two years ago. He said the store held a special place in the hearts of some of the neighbors.
"We're losing a corner store. We as a community will definitely suffer as a result of this,” Tina Taylor said.
Neighbors who used the store said it’s very hard to see what a piece of community history destroyed.
"Honestly it took a minute to like really sink in. First, I look at it and I’m like shocked, just to see that outside my door,” Jacoti Sommes said.
Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter told 10TV that a city inspector was looking at another building nearby when they heard the one on E. Long St. crumbling. Chief Gietter said a firefighter was on the second floor when the building collapsed and thankfully, he was able to make it out safely.
The city is demanding what's left of the building be demolished.
10TV learned from the Department of Building and Zoning that the building hadn't had an inspection within the last several years. We were told the current city code only requires mandatory inspections for buildings over 10 stories in the downtown district.