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Read the press release here.

DUMBO Businesses Look to Their Community for Help Rebuilding After Sandy

By Janet Upadhye | November 14, 2012 8:26am

DUMBO — Four feet of water flooded the small DUMBO bakery, One Girl Cookies, at the height of Hurricane Sandy. Later cakes and cupcakes from inside the cozy shop were found in Brooklyn Bridge Park, more than 100 yards away.

PowerHouse Books was left with broken windows and soggy stock after a surge flooded the local favorite. The owner is facing $40,000 is damages and has no flood insurance, according to Capital New York.

Smack Mellon, a gallery and workspace for artists, was flooded with six feet of water. The seven artists who had studios in the space lost all of their artwork. Total damages are reported to exceed $200,000.

Over a dozen DUMBO businesses including Galapagos Art Space, 66 Water Street,  Governor, Aegir Board Works, Almondine, Punto Bianco, Ignazio's, 7 Old Fulton, Rabbit Hole Studios, and Brooklyn Roasting were affected by the storm. Six are still closed.

But in a community-driven attempt to repair some of the damage, DUMBO businesses have come together to ask their community for help.

Organized by the DUMBO Improvement District and hosted by the newly re-opened Galapagos Art Space, Help DUMBO Rebuild hopes to raise money to directly support local businesses affected by the storm.

"DUMBO is a neighborhood built on small businesses - entrepreneurs and creative spaces that invest in the community," said Alexandria Sica, Executive Director of the DUMBO Improvement District. "We wanted to give the community an opportunity to give back to those who have lost so much."

Help DUMBO Rebuild will have music, food, and an auction including local art. A private party will also be held at nearby Jane's Carousel. According to Sica there will also be surprise cultural experiences and more. Local tech company HUGE will be selling tote bags that say Brooklyn's Finest: DUMBO, and a raffle winner will get Marty Markowitz to record a personalized voicemail message.

"The fundraiser will be a celebration of the DUMBO spots that make this neighborhood great, with everyone lending a hand to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible," Sica said.

For more information or to buy last-minute tickets starting at $25 visit the DUMBO Business Improvement District's website.