Donna Perrigo and Timothy Corpus know a building isn’t the heart of their business. They knew it the night of July 14, when a fire severely damaged Studio Donna Salon &Spa in downtown Everett.

They’re in the beauty business, a people business. While stunned by the damage inside the salon, the couple worried most about people.

"Our first thought was what are we going to do about our customers and employees," Perrigo said. "We were calling our customers and rescheduling appointments before we even had a building."

With its showcase interior beautifully restored, Studio Donna reopened this week at the northwest corner of Colby Avenue and Wall Street. Shortly after the fire, the business moved to temporary digs in the Everett Symphony Orchestra building a couple of blocks north on Colby.

Back in the plush setting they first created in 2000, they talked about the fire, their loyal customers and gratitude that firefighters, insurance agents and construction crews came through in their time of need.

"It was late at night, we were ready for bed, and one of our employees called and said, ‘Donna, you need to get to the building right away.’ It was on fire," Perrigo said. "Fire is something that always happens to somebody else."

The blaze started in a backroom. An Everett fire investigator blamed it on cleaning rags soaked in linseed oil, which apparently self-ignited. The salon owners didn’t disclose the financial toll, initially estimated at $250,000.

"The real damage was smoke damage," Corpus said. Everything from furnishings and equipment to walls and maple floors had to be replaced.

The restoration, done by Gaffney Construction Inc., included removal of a false ceiling, a dramatic new archway in the spa seating area, a larger massage room and colorful walls.

Corpus said quick response by Petershagen Insurance helped keep them in business while the salon was boarded up.

"I got the call from Timothy about 10:30 the night of the fire," said Perry Pearson, owner of Petershagen Insurance, whose office is in the Studio Donna building. "The first thing he said was, ‘Your portion of the place was not damaged.’ "

Pearson was on the scene within an hour. He praised the Everett Fire Department’s quick response.

"They were there, they put that fire out without losing the entire building. Another 20 to 25 minutes, we could have lost the building. We were really appreciative," Pearson said.

Pearson contacted the salon’s insurer, Unigard Insurance Group. "They drove up the next day, and two days later we had a check to pay our employees," Corpus said.

"With claims like this," Pearson said, "you don’t want to have business interruption losses."

The salon and its 15 employees were back in business within nine days, which was key to keeping customers. "I have to say, we were very fortunate. Our clients have been super supportive," Perrigo said.

More than ever, they are committed to downtown Everett, which is also where they live.

When Perrigo wanted a business downtown in 1993, Corpus said he asked her, "Are you sure?"

"At that time, there was still drug dealing on Colby and on Hewitt," he said.

They leased space on Colby that’s now home to a Starbucks coffee shop. In 2000, they bought their current site, which once housed a J.K. Gill stationery store and had long been vacant.

Today, they’re at the heart of a hopping downtown, a short walk from the Snohomish County Courthouse and the Everett Events Center.

"Timothy has said it’s a like a phoenix rising from the ashes," Perrigo said.

That’s true of the salon, and also of a downtown being reborn.

"It’s a real joy to be part of this community," Corpus said.

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or

muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.