Thoughts and prayers for you both! So sad to hear about your loss. Praying for peace, understanding, patience, and growth from this tragedy!

The whole thing is so devastating...makes me so sad..
Edna

Mary and Brenda...
I am so very sorry for the loss of your shop...it's devastating. I can only imagine how much you are hurting. But you will come back...and be even stronger than before. You are sisters...and that bond of love and trust will carry you through this. I am sending healing thoughts your way!!! Linda

They will regroup and come back stronger than ever because they are SURVIVORS and scrappy girls!!!!

My prayers are with you. Believe in God, He won't let you down. You will have your bakery again.

Brenda & Mary,
I'm so sorry for your loss. As many of our fellow CC members have said and as painful as it is, what was lost were possessions. I know it's hard to wrap your head around that at this time - the pain is real and you will work through it. But...your talent, drive, wisdom can never be taken away. I've seen both of you on AWC and different Food Network challenges - you both are so creative and talented. Take strength in each other and know that there are so many people praying for you. Keep the faith! You will come back...better than ever!!!
Hugs...
DanaMae

My thoughts and prayers, I've been a big fan on FoodNetwork, and you will continue to have my support as you put things back together.

Hugs, thoughts, love and prayers are with you two sisters. You'll come back, bigger, badder and better, all the way! Love, Denise

Just a friendly reminder, this thread is for the purpose of posting positive thoughts and support for the cake girls (in response the article and photos by the chicago tribune) not a place to disagree or lodge a complaint about the article or photos provided by the Tribune

Repeat: My heart goes out to them and I hope they can rebuild in the near future and have the kitchen they've always dreamed of.

Such a terrible thing. My thoughts are with you guys and your staff. I'm a huge fan of yours, and I hope and pray you guys will be ok. I look forward to seeing you on the air when this is behind you. Best wishes.

I am so sorry for your loss and for the loss of your employess but better things are yet to come!

Just a quick update
I have included a video clip from WGN TV about the fire in my blog post:
http://cakecentral.com/jackie/219/fire-destroys-cakegirls-bakery-devastating

If you can make it through Mary's heart wrenching interview, there is some information near the end of the video about local Chicago business that have offered help such as Starbucks and other local bakeries, including the news anchor and his family.

It may be a good idea to contact WGN TV if you would like to help, or some of the other businesses mentioned in the video.

Heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery from this tragic loss! May you have many arms to hug you and many hands to help you, as you muddle through and rebuild.

p.s. ---

I noticed something! -- Yuz be redheads!

and having had a mom who was a natural redhead until the day she died (tho' admittedly with an assist from Clairol in the "latter" years) there is ONE thing I learned fast and early:

When a redhead makes her mind up to do something, she kicks the world to the curb if it dares get in her way.

Happy kicking!

ME AND MY FAMILY ARE PRAYING FOR YA'LL. YA'LLS SHOW INSPIRED ME EVEN BEFORE I FOUND CAKE CENTRAL. I HAVE A GOOD FEELING GOD WILL BLESS YA'LL WITH AN EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER SHOP.

I am so sorry for the loss of the shop. Thankfully Mary, Brenda, and the other cakegirls team weren't in the buildng when it caught fire. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. The silver lining(if that is possible) is that fire can't burn talent, dreams, and the drive it took to get these sisters where they are today. I have full confidence that these strong women will find a new home for the bakery and will be up and running in no time. The talent and passion that these sisters and the whole team share for art and the cake world CANNOT be burned! I respect and admire the cakegirls and all the work that they turn out. It is a tragedy, but I believe in my heart that this will make them stronger. Message to the entire cakegirls team: You can and will overcome this. You all will be better people for having to endure such a terrible tragedy and I think it may inspire all to make even more beautiful creations in the future(if that is even possible, everything I have ever seen of their work has been breath taking and inspiring). A burned building has no chance when up against two strong, beautiful and talented sisters! Again, I am very sorry for your loss, but let it make you stronger people. In my thoughts and prayers...joanna in ky

If you are on facebook, please join the fan club-- Support the Cake Girls.... there are over 600 decoraters and fans posting messages of support for them.

Also, Kerry Vincent posted a message yesterday--
Kerry Vincent
-- The Cake girls are very busy relocating her brides to other decorating studios and
dealing with the insurance company at present which I quite understand
will be time consuming. She is grateful we have given them breathing
room and thanks everyone for their kindness.
Also, she posted:
Mary Maher and I spoke at length today and she is humbled at the support
that she and Brenda have received from the cake community. She is
establishing an address for us to send whatever equipment and support
that we are able. She will e-mail me when arrangements are finalized.

I'm just trying to relay as much information as I can across the web... It's what I would want someone to do for me!

our most sincere sympathies

Simply Heartbreaking. Sending thoughts and prayers to Mary, Brenda and their families. Thank Heavens no one was hurt.

Joann

How tragic.

I do, however, think it was very insensitive and more than a little inconsiderate to post a huge picture of these ladies in the midst of their catastrophe. I mean, who wants their very personal and weak moment of fear, anguish and sorrow captured and plastered all over?

My thoughts are with these two women.

Incredibly sad for their loss, I can't imagine watching our shop on fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ladies!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. But the cake community is lifting you up in thoughts and prayers. I pray that during this rough time, you'll stay strong together and for each other and not be torn apart by this. I also pray that you find golden threads in the ashes ...new friendships, renewed relationships and amazing support from places you never knew you'd find or knew you had. Many (((((((((( hugs))))))))) to you

my heart goes to you girls. you're in my prayers. you will surely bounce back!

I'm really sorry. This makes me sooo sad, but you guys will come back! I watch you all the time! You can overcome anything! Although I know it hurts, you still have each other and that's a lot more important than any building Lots of love and prayers to you and your staff!

I just watched one of your shows last night as I always do. I enjoy watching you both create and have been inspired by your creativity, your love for cake decorating, and your love for each other. I admire you both for what you have done. I am shocked and saddened to learn of your loss.
You both are awesome!! You will come back bigger and better if that is even possible because you both are already the best!!!!!!

I hope nothing but the best for Cake Girls. I loved watching them on Amazing Wedding Cakes. I hope they can get their bakery back up and running soon!

I have watched them cake girls on tv via my sling box-I can not imagine what they are going through-I will keep them on my prayer list. Here´s hoping the insurance company will do their work quickly. I am sure the cake girls will rise again-bigger and better.

I am so sorry to hear about your shop. I am just thankful that no one got hurt. I will be praying for you two and everyone that is affected by the fire. I hope you guys can reopen and come back bigger than ever!

We will hold you both in our prayers....
Rebuilding can be tough but there is always good not even dreamed of yet on the other side!
Let us know if we can help in any way!!