On July 18, a fire tore through Tollbooth Antiques in Columbia, destroying the historic building and incinerating the inventory of more than 50 vendors who operate out of the space. Now the Columbia community has come together to support those in need through a variety of fundraisers.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, beginning at 9 a.m., Boltz Auction Company will host a benefit auction for the Tollbooth vendors. It will feature both virtual and in-person components, and proceeds will directly support the people who operated stands in the warehouse, said Karl Boltz.

"I was struck by the tragedy when it happened, and I immediately went to see the owners the evening of the fire," Boltz recalled. "I stood by and watched with them as the destruction happened. The next morning, it was clear to me that people were focusing on how sad it was that the building burned down, but they weren't thinking much about the individual people who were affected. I wanted to bring attention to them. This is a livelihood for them, not just a hobby, and it's been stripped from them."

Some of the vendors had insurance to cover their inventory, but many did not, he said. "This auction is a way I can help them regain some comfort and get them back on their feet as quickly as possible," he noted.

Boltz encourages the community to donate quality household items, collectibles and antiques for the auction, and he added that Trimbys Moving Service has offered moving services for items at no cost. People are also encouraged to purchase a gift card from a local restaurant or business to be auctioned off, he said.

Through the years, Boltz has held a number of benefit auctions, and he sprang into action after the fire. "This is a natural way my brain works," he said. "I thought, 'What's the most important thing that can be done right now?' The immediate response in my mind was to get these people the help they need. These people are our friends, our neighbors. They are the people who are bringing other people into Columbia and driving the local economy."

Boltz emphasized how impressed he was by the efforts of local firefighters and first responders who battled the blaze. After the fire, he was on-site when one of the vendors, Kimberly Coover, showed him an American flag from her business, Utopia Home and Garden, that had somehow survived the destruction.

"We lost everything," said Kimberly's husband, Joe. "The day after the fire, a member of the Craley Fire Company called us and told us they had found this flag and wanted to keep it to put it on display at their firehouse." Ultimately, the Coovers decided the flag, blackened but not destroyed, should be displayed at the warehouse as a symbol of resilience. It will feature a banner thanking local first responders for their efforts in fighting the fire.

Efforts to raise funds for rebuilding the warehouse are also underway. Alan and Fiffer Raush have organized a GoFundMe page seeking donations. It can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/2bh8je9h.

Dave Zahm, owner of Bully's Restaurant and Pub in Columbia, has pledged to donate 10% of meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of August to the vendors. He and his chef, Bobby Schoelkopf, have also organized a collection of cash and gift card donations, which will be distributed evenly among the vendors at the end of the month.

Boltz said the loss of Tollbooth Antiques will be felt well beyond the local area. "I have customers who come from Maryland, Texas, South Carolina, and they shared with me their memories of Tollbooth," he said. "This is a devastating loss for Columbia."

Donations for the benefit auction may be dropped off at Boltz Auctions, 3601 Columbia Ave., Lancaster. For more information, call 717-392-4257.