Since the fire on August 13 in Winkler's downtown destroyed the building housing Jim M. Smith's accounting office and the store of Country Cycle, both business have relocated. But, Smith hasn't found his permanent location yet.

The owner of the building that was burned, and recently demolished, Smith intends to rebuild, but much bigger.

Both businesses operating out of the building have moved to other locations

"It's going to go from 2,600 square feet, roughly, to 4,200 square feet. We're not just rebuilding, we're also adding on to it," said Smith. Several improvements and new features will also be added to make the building more modern than the old building was.

The new structure will be built on the existing foundation and include two office spaces, one for Smith's accounting business, and the other will be rented to an interested business or organization.

"We have had one interested party come forward," Smith said, "but until we actually have four walls and a roof up, it's a little hard to go much further." Smith declined to share who that interested was. Whoever rents the other address, they will have half the building: 2,100 sq. ft. space available.

Smith hopes construction will be complete in early spring; he spent 15 years running his business at the previous address and is eager to return, possibly as early as summer next year.

Despite the benefits of a modernized building, Smith isn't calling the arson he endured an opportunity in disguise.

"I wouldn't go through it again," Smith said with a laugh. "It's kind of cliche, but it is what you make of it. How it turns out is ultimately up to us at this point...We're comfortable where we are, but it's going to be exciting to move back into, essentially new space."

Demolition began Wednesday.