Lay family looks to move on, scouting for temporary location for the NT Oriental Emporium

THE Lay family is looking to reopen the NT Oriental Emporium at a nearby location after the 30-year-old building was torched last week

• NEW CCTV: Arsonist spotted running from fire
• Family thank the community for support over devastating fire

THE Lay family is looking to reopen the NT Oriental Emporium at a nearby location after the 30-year-old building was torched last week.

Speaking on ABC Radio on Wednesday, Nelson Lay said the family hoped to reopen soon, so they could continue to provide their array of goods to the public, while a decision was made about the current site.

Part of the NT Oriental Emporium was bulldozed on Monday as it was deemed unsafe. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

The beloved Emporium was set alight last Thursday with CCTV recording what appears to be a person lighting the blaze at the back of the building.

“We have a couple of warehouses behind the Emporium where we are holding the stock,” he said.

“We don’t have the range to offer to customers straight away, but the family is looking to relocate, and at this stage nothing is signed. We would love to stay where we are, or close to where we are.

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“We are talking to a couple of potential lease providers.”

Mr Lay said the family had been buoyed by support from the Darwin community.

“We have had such a tremendous outpouring of support from the wider Northern Territory community. As always, we are grateful to people who have not only given us the support, but also caring,” he said.

Mr Lay said the family was in shock that a fire had affected their business for the second time in as many years.

A still image from CCTV footage of the arsonist lighting a destructive fire at NT Oriental Emporium. Picture: NTPFES

“Obviously we would like to move on,” he said.

“There are just no words that can be expressed … besides, we really appreciate and thank the NT Fire and Rescue Service, and NT Police and Emergency Services have done a great job and effort.

“The family is really sad, especially with the people who torched the building.”

Adjoining business Fresh Produce Market has had to temporarily close its doors as a result of the blaze.

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In2food Darwin manager Ben Blake said Fresh Produce Market, the retail side of the business, would stay closed until renovations could be completed. The commercial side of the business has moved to Eaton and continues to operate.

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