Three Menasha small businesses shared how they're moving forward facing significant damage or destruction to their building. Aug. 18, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For some, the tornado took their place to live.
For others, their livelihood.
Small business owners are left scrambling as they try to pick up the pieces on the livelihood they built through their business.
“All of my stuff was stored in here, and it was all destroyed,” said Dennis Fagg, owner of Studio 6D6 and Cosmo Joe Entertainment.
His businesses are his full-time job, hosting interactive role-play games and helping build sets for and lead conventions around the state. He led one in Appleton last weekend.
He plans to rebuild or relocate to a new building.
“No matter what I will survive and I’m gonna come back,” he said.
He leased part of his building to Dave Kodet, who runs a 3D printing and engraving business, and helps Fagg build the sets.
“We lost our engraver which is a big part of our business,” said Kodet.
He’s running about half of his 3D printers from his home and plans to be part of the rebuild or relocation with Dennis.
“As far as the future, can’t do anything without a building,” said Kodet. “And I am not moving.”
Main Street was mostly spared, save for one building on the corner of Main Street and Milwaukee Street which had its roof ripped. Amanda Marvin’s Adorn Studio, a permanent makeup and fine line tattoo studio was spared, but the whole floor needs to be redone. It’ll cost her two weeks of work, considerable income, but she’s quick to point out it’s a minimal loss compared to others.
“The water was pouring in,” said Marvin. “I tried to put as many buckets as I could, but before you knew it, it was just, it was, there was no going back really.”
The two women who sublease from her were less fortunate. Their studios are significantly damaged.
Her tenants for now are just one chair over.
“There’s four of us working in the small space and just trying to make it work between our schedules,” said Marvin, “like puzzle piecing things together, who can use this bed, who can use that.”
Not every business will be fortunate, but if small business have one thing, it’s resolve.”
Along Plank Road, Manderfield’s Bakery has said it plans to rebuild. Plank Road Pub and Tony’s Bar have not yet indicated whether they will.
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