Determined to do something to help people who lost their jobs in last Thursday's fire, Madison's Chamber of Commerce held a fundraiser on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., outside the Madison Beach Hotel and raised $5.400.
Demolition crews have already pulled down most of the building on Boston Post Road after Village Pizza and the Madison Wine Shop were destroyed in the fire.
"They've been here forever," said Eileen Banisch, executive director of the chamber of commerce.
"Everybody's kids grew up going to Village Pizza. I remember taking my kids there when they were 3 or 4," she said. "My daughter's first solid food was a pizza crust from there."
She said Madison Wine Shop's reputation spans the state.
"They have customers coming from Westchester and Fairfield County and Rhode Island because of their great product," she said.
The money raised will go to cover costs insurance doesn't, she said.
