FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A benefit to help rebuild Bay Break is scheduled for this weekend. The popular convenience store on South Mobile Street was gutted by a fire last Thursday night.

The benefit, organized by Jim and Rebecca Moore, owners of Bay Side Scooters next door, is expected to include food, beverages, music and T-shirts of Stella, the beloved resident shop cat, who died in the fire.

“Laura (Grady) made all the T-shirts in the store,” said store manager Pat Johnson on Tuesday. “She made some of Stella over the weekend, and put some on a rack for sale this past Sunday. So many people have been calling about Stella.”

The store, located across Scenic 98 from the Pier Street boat ramp, was built in the 1930s and is still known by many locals as “Monk Green’s,” said property owner Rusty Goddard, whose family has owned the propeerty for three generations.

“When I was growing up, there was a neighborhood store on many corners in Fairhope,” Goddard said. “They were places where neighborhood kids could walk to get a cold drink or pick up some milk and bread to take home. There’s not too many of them left anymore. Bay Break is a touch of old Fairhope.”

Goddard said the city building inspector had been at the site over the weekend and plans have been discussed about what it will take to rebuild.

“It’s going to take more than we thought at first,” said Goddard, noting how old the gas pumps were and some changes in building codes. “But I’ve been getting lots of calls from friends and neighbors to make sure that we always keep this a neighborhood store.”

On Saturday, Bay Break was a bustle of activity as friends and neighbors helped Grady and Johnson clean up the fire-damaged store. A sign was erected asking for help to rebuild Bay Break, and cars pulled into the parking lot throughout the day, while other people walked in as they passed by on foot.

“I have a donation for you,” said one woman who was passing through town as she gave Grady a hug. “I’m really sorry. We used to come in here all the time and loved this place.”

Grady took over the store about two years ago, Goddard said.

“Laura has done an excellent job of keeping that old Fairhope feel to it,” said Goddard. “It has been a place where people always gather and felt at home. You entered there and always saw a friendly face.”

Grady said the outpouring of support has been overhwhelming, especially considering that neither the building or the merchandise was insured because of the cost of being located next to the bay.

“It’s been so wonderful,” said Grady, referring to the support already received. She also said many people have stopped by to ask about Stella, who lived at the store five years before Grady took over.

“Stella came with the store and basically ran the place,” Grady said. “She was such a sweet cat.”

Grady had hundreds of pictures of Stella in her car that she had been handing out to people on Saturday as they came up and expressed their condolences, she said.

“It’s a true neighborhood store,” said Moore, who opened the adjacent business earlier this year. “They had arts and crafts in there made by local artists, and musicians who put their books and CDs on the counter. People have been stopping by all day wanting to help. We’ve had contractors and subcontractors offering to donate their services.”

A bank account has been opened at Vision Bank for donations to help with construction costs and to restock the store, Johnson said.

“If for some reason we are not able to rebuild, all the funds will be donated to The Haven in the name of Stella,” said Johnson, referring to the Fairhope’s no-kill animal shelter.

The benefit to help rebuild Bay Break will start at noon Friday and last throughout the day starting again at that time on Saturday and Sunday, said Joe Moore, Jim Moore’s son.

“We’ll have a stage and local live music,” Moore said. “We start at noon and will last until whenever that day. Just leave it a question mark.”

“We want to rebuild this landmark, and many people want to help,” Joe Moore said. “Bay Break is an icon. It has got to stay.”

Donations can be made in the name of Bay Break at Vision Bank in Fairhope, or in the name of Bay Break at Bay Side Scooters. For more information, call Bay Side Scooters at 990-4445.