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06/21/2013 12:00 AM

Madison Unites with Benefit Concert for Fire Victims


Madison Wine Shop owners Whitney and John Algieri (center) survey the damage to their shop in the aftermath of the early morning fire of June 19.

The Madison Beach Hotel in partnership with The Madison Chamber of Commerce is organizing a community-wide fundraiser in support of Village Pizza and Madison Wine Shop, which were lost in a June 20 fire. Both businesses were local icons. Madison Unites! will be a benefit for the two family-owned businesses and their employees.

The concert, featuring the music of Adam Jensen, will take place on Thursday, June 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the front lawn of the Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road, Madison.

The event will be organized in conjunction with the launch of Madison Beach Hotel's popular series of special outdoor concerts this summer. The public is invited to come enjoy a concert on the beachfront lawn at Madison Beach Hotel and make a donation in support of the businesses and their employees. The fund will be managed by the Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Madison Beach Hotel will match the first $1,000 raised. The Chamber will also be placing donation receptacles in downtown business locations—businesses may email chamber@madisonct.com to have a receptacle dropped off.

The Chamber also encourages the community to show appreciation for the brave firefighters of Madison Hose Co. 1 and the North Madison Fire Department, as well as the Madison Police Department and the responders from Guilford, Clinton, Branford, and Durham whose bravery and quick action helped contain this fire to one building, and no injuries were incurred. The Chamber also thanks and recognizes the Madison Coffee Shop for donating 100 sandwiches to the firefighters, Cumberland Farms for donating beverages, and to all the downtown businesses for their patience and offers of help to their fellow retailers. This is a prime example of love your local at its best!

Village Pizza owner John Athanasoulis (center, in gray shirt) watches from across the street as fire officials comb through the wreckage of his landmark downtown restaurant.