Center of Trolley Square shooting re-opens for business

Cabin Fever re-opened this morning for business, more than a week after Sulejman Talovic's deadly shooting rampage through the Trolley Square mall.

"I feel very positive about it," shop owner David Dean told the Deseret Morning News. "Our customers have been calling with messages of support."

Just after 10 a.m., customers began trickling into the shop. Cathy Bramwell paused for a moment at the doors before walking in and hugging employee Doug Player.

"I just want to make sure you're OK," she said as she picked out a thank you card and a birthday card.

Bramwell said she didn't really need any cards, but came in to show her support for the novelty and card shop.

"In 'Happy Valley' this shouldn't happen," she said.

Cabin Fever was the epicenter of Sulejman Talovic's killing spree. Four people were shot there, including the fatal victims Teresa Ellis, 29; Brad Frantz, 24; and Kirsten Hinckley, 15. Hinckley's mother, Carolyn Tuft, 44, remains hospitalized in fair condition and is undergoing more surgeries today.

As they made purchases, Player handed his customers a small candle as a symbol of hope and reverence for what happened at Cabin Fever.

"The candles represent life," he said. "It's just as a symbol of our thanks for supporting us and also to respect what happened here."

Throughout the Trolley Square mall, memorial flowers and balloons have been placed to remember the victims of the shooting rampage. The only store that has not re-opened is Pottery Barn Kids, where Talovic was killed in a shootout with police.

That store is scheduled to re-open on Friday.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com