Community rallies for Kalispell business destroyed by fire

A fire ripped through Tanner and Jana Roach’s Kalispell business, Beck and Cap, in the early morning hours of Dec. 17, destroying everything within its walls.  

“You just don't know how to prepare for something like that. You think about it, but the reality of it is there is just so much that is destroyed that you don't think about,” said Jana Roach. 

But friends and neighbors rallied behind the Roach family in the aftermath of the blaze that consumed the Quonset hut on Sixth Avenue West near the intersection with Center Street, supporting them through a GoFundMe fundraiser. With a goal of raising $60,000, the effort has collected over $15,500 since it was launched on Dec. 19. 

The squat structure served as Tanner Roach’s woodworking shop, where he crafted handmade furniture. From traditional furniture to hand-carved pieces to organic models, Beck and Cap produces custom furniture pieces and signs in Northwest Montana.   

The inferno consumed everything — materials, tools and finished products.  

“He lost everything. Everything from his tools, to materials, to orders that were done and waiting to be shipped,” Jana said. “It’s so hard to quantify, it was his whole business. It was all in that building.” 

While they have some insurance, Jana said, there is little to no coverage for his tools, which is the bulk of what was lost.  

The GoFundMe was organized by James and Aly Williams, local friends of the Roach family who they have known since they were in their 20s. Jana’s friend Vanessa Pleasants also helped. While the Roaches were hesitant to accept the initiative, especially around the holidays, their friends were adamant that it was OK to ask for help. 

“I just keep thinking like the biggest thing to me is that I thought I knew what generosity was, but seeing how everybody has gone above and beyond ... people are so willing to get on board and help and it's the most beautiful thing,” Jana said.  

Beck and Cap began after Tanner carved a wooden mushroom in 2016 for a display at a vintage market. Dozens of people started asking how they could get one, and the pair realized that they were on to something. Plus, Jana said, it was a hobby that fit well with his  artistic nature.  

In 2020, Tanner had an opportunity to go on HGTV for his work for an episode of “Home Again with the Fords,” which aired in 2021. The star-turn left them flooded with orders and they’ve kept busy ever since, Jana said. 

“It was literally overnight,” she said.  

Prior to the fire, they were slowly working toward turning a building near the shop into a retail spot. While those plans are now on hold, it is something they hope to accomplish in the future.  

They are no longer accepting orders in light of the fire. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/support-the-roachs-after-devastating-workshop-business-loss.  

“This was devastating, but more than anything it has showed just how incredible this community is through the outpour of love,” Jana said.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

    Cody Kearney, of Kearney Enterprises, uses an excavator to tear down the remains of a building housing the Roach's woodworking shop that was destroyed in a fire on Dec. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Tanner Roach, left, and Cody Kearney, of Kearney Enterprises, who was on site to raze the structure, watch as Jana Roach sifts through some of the remnants of the building that housed their woodworking shop destroyed by fire on Dec. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider