"We didn't really think it was going to affect our building," said Milkiewicz.

But it did. Mollie's Mason Jar, one of several downtown Corinth businesses, was destroyed.

"We went through the gamut of emotions. There were days I just cried and I'd be OK," Milkiewicz said.

Still, Milkiewicz says she couldn't rebuild where she was. It's been a giant pile of twisted metal and burnt wood in the center of the village as residents and leaders debated what to do.

"There was no other viable alternative. We would have been delayed indefinitely," said Corinth Mayor Brad Winslow.

Downtown Corinth rubble to be cleaned, health concerns continue

Three months after a fire destroyed businesses in downtown Corinth, our Steve Ference reports on the plan that is finally in place to rebuild and how residents are dealing with the aftermath.

"It gave the property owners incentive not just to clean but to start rebuilding. And that's vital to our downtown," Winslow said.

Many folks in Corinth are simply happy that there will finally be progress. That things will be cleaned up. But they are worried about long-lasting health effects.

In fact, one doctor, the local health commissioner, wrote, "It is my opinion that this site is a health hazard to the community and should be cleaned up as rapidly as possible."

"Department of labor and the engineer both said to us it's not a health hazard right now," said Mayor Winslow.

Winslow says the proper precautions will be taken during cleanup which is expected to be complete in a couple weeks.

It’s now three months later and four miles away in Hadley, Milkiewicz's restaurant will re-open Friday. She’s happy to keep all her workers, even though it meant she had to move.

"It was a great location, a great little village," said Milkiewicz. "In order to maintain your help and rebuild right away that wasn't possible. It's been three months. I think it's amazing we're going to be up and running."