BLOOMSBURG -- The board of directors of the former Moose Exchange in Bloomsburg says it is too expensive to move back into their fire-damaged building.
The group has changed its name to "The Exchange" and is now looking for a new place to showcase artwork in Bloomsburg.
The flames were fierce and the smoke thick. Almost one year ago, the home of the Moose Exchange in Bloomsburg was heavily damaged by fire.
Recently, executive director Oren Helbok told Newswatch 16 it is too expensive to move back into the building on Main Street.
"We as a nonprofit have only so much money. We had insured the building for its appraised value, not its replacement value," Helbok explained
Helbok says the organization of artists called the building home for four years. He says the architect estimated the damage to the building at $4.5 million.
"We had the building insured, including contents, for a little over $1 million. that's pretty much what we have now."
Helbok says the board decided to drop the "moose" from the nonprofit's name because they are no longer in the Moose Building. They will now be known as "The Exchange".
People who had space there say they are sad they cannot move back into the building.
"I had a custom framing business, Chamuris Custom Framing, and I was on the second floor of the Moose."
Mary Chamuris of Bloomsburg says she is optimistic for the future of The Exchange.
"We'll be able to find a place that we can still show art, have musical events and provide entertainment for the Bloomsburg area."
For now, The Exchange is operating out of a temporary location on Main Street which they call "The Antler." Helbok says they hope to find a new, permanent spot in Bloomsburg.
"We are looking for space, whether we own or rent. It depends on what comes along."
Helbok says they plan to put the current building on Main Street in Bloomsburg up for sale.