Donations reach $430,000 for employees affected by Main Street fire

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Downtown Alliance, a non-profit organization in Salt Lake City, has raised $430,000 for employees affected by the fire on Main Street that occurred last week.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, around 9:30 p.m., a fire broke out and destroyed five businesses on Main Street in Salt Lake City. Over 200 employees worked at those businesses and have been displaced from work.

The Downtown Alliance started an Employee Assistance Fund in order to cover essential expenses that those displaced employees may face, including rent, transportation and groceries. Almost a week later, Downtown Alliance and other agencies have raised $430,000.

Dee Brewer, the Executive Director for the Downtown Alliance, says, “Thousands of individuals made generous contributions through the Alliance webpage, and at this week’s Twilight Concert, the Main Street Fashion Show, and the Downtown Farmers Market.”

Brewer also acknowledged several individual donors, and said, “We are profoundly grateful for the substantial gifts made by Matthew and Tatiana Prince, The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake City, and two other anonymous donors that have put us within reach of our assistance fund goal.”

The Utah Restaurant Association, which helps connect displaced employees with Wasatch Front employers, also transferred some of their fund-raising profits into the Downtown Alliance assistance fund.

Additionally, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke on the community efforts to help the displaced employees. She said, “We know that when tragedy strikes, community is always the answer. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed so far, and to the Downtown Alliance for quickly mobilizing this fund to support our residents in need.” 

Employees who have been affected by the Main Street fire should contact their respective employers in order to learn and access any disbursed funds. Downtown Alliance says the first round of funds will be distributed on Tuesday, August 19.

In total, Downtown Alliance is hoping to raise $500,000, a goal based on basic living expenses for all affected employees. 100% of all funds raised will go to the employees’ expenses.