By Michaela Gordoni
Erin and Ben Napier were hard at work on their friend’s hotel for HOME TOWN: INN THIS TOGETHER when it went up in flames from an electrical issue.
Repairs to Laurel, Mississippi’s The Heirloom Hotel haven’t been made yet, but the owners want to get started, the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported.
“It doesn’t matter how much progress we see in downtown Laurel. As long as its most iconic building stands vacant and empty and dilapidated, we will not feel like we’ve really done something,” Erin said in a trailer for the first episode.
When the hotel caught fire last year, Erin shared, “Praise God, no one was inside. We held each other and watched while the brave firefighters from the Laurel FD worked for hours to get it under control.”
“Today feels like a funeral. But I know these people. They won’t give up here,” she added.
When a fan on Instagram asked whether there will be a rebuild, Erin replied on May 10, “There is nothing but waiting now to see what happens with insurance.”
Shortly after the fire, the owners said, “If the Lord’s willing, we will keep building!”
Related: We Will Get to See Ben, Erin Napier’s Work on Hotel That Caught Fire
Recently, The Heirloom Hotel’s owners announced they plan to rebuild and asked that those interested in donating consider buying a piece from the hotel instead.
“Many people ask to help us by setting up a GoFundMe. We are deeply grateful for that kindness. However, while losing a building is difficult, it’s harder to lose a home,” said one of the owners, Josh Nowell.
“Since the fire, we’ve become sensitive to every fire truck that passes. For those who want to give financially, we’d encourage you to consider helping families in your own community who have suffered a house fire,” he continued. “We wanted to offer something tangible in return — a small reminder that restoration is possible, and that we aren’t the only ones building for someone.”
The Napiers partnered with the hotel to allow people to take home a small piece of the hotel flooring repurposed into photo rails.
“What was lost was more than a building and something that so many people had poured into only for us to get SO close, yet never even get to open our doors. Most everything was not salvageable but we couldn’t see these floors, that have seen so many generations, just be thrown in the dumpster too,” a post on The Heirloom’s Instagram page reads.
The rails are 16″ long and have The Heirloom logo and a note that says “keep building” and are sold through Laurel Mercantile for $29.99.
“A way we could bring these floors one more life, was for our team to make them into these photo rails for your home or any space that you want to display your cherished images or even heirloom recipes. It makes us feel encouraged as we look at these, that no matter how damaged — beautiful things can still come from the ashes,” the post reads.”
INN THIS TOGETHER premiered on May 10 and had its finale on May 31. It’s available to stream on HBO Max and discovery+.
Read Next: Crew Behind HOME TOWN Hotel Spin-Off Update Fans Following Fire
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