Max Logan's to Reopen 2 Months After Cracked Toilet Flooded Store

When Ruth Gurney decided to open a new home goods store in downtown Downers Grove in June, she hoped the business would benefit from a busy summer of car shows and special events.

Max Logan's Home Accents, which occupies the old location at 5135 Main St., opened quietly on June 19, just in time for for a grand opening event during .

Just three days later, everything changed.

On the morning of June 22, Gurney received a call from the building's alarm company about a flood in the store. A toilet in the second-floor apartment had cracked overnight, causing tank water to leak for hours while the tenant was asleep.

The flood caused a section of the store's ceiling to cave, ruining the carpet and numerous pieces of merchandise.

"It was devastating," Gurney said. "Everything was going great for a few days, and then the store was basically ruined."

Gurney was forced to close Max Logan's while the ceiling and carpet were replaced. Though the project was initially expected to take just a few weeks, the store has been closed for most of the summer.

"Between the insurance company and the permits, it's all taken a bit longer than we would have liked," Gurney said. "It's been an emotional experience to put in all that hard work and then miss out on most of the summer."

After more than a month of repairs and weeks of setting up the store, Max Logan's is ready to reopen. Gurney is busy putting the finishing touches on the store displays, and expects to be open within the next week.

"I'm excited to finally open again and put everything behind us," she said.

Max Logan's primarily sells home decorations and furnishings, such as vases, plates, dishes, artwork and picture frames. The store also carries a variety of jewelry and bath goods, and will soon offer Halloween and Christmas items.

Gurney, who has owned a travel agency in Palos Heights for 26 years, said she had been planning to open a home goods store for some time, but was waiting for the perfect location.

"When the space became available downtown, I knew it was the right time," she said. "I get sick of seeing all the same things at big box stores. We offer things that are more unique, and much of it is made here in the United States."

Max Logan's will be open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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