Bartell Drugs is joining in the efforts to raise funds for the businesses that were destroyed and damaged in the July 22 fire in downtown Bothell.

The locally-owned and operated business has been part of the Bothell community for many years.

“As a neighborhood business, we’ve seen many of our friends and guests impacted by this fire,” says the Canyon Park Store Manager Aaron Hamilton, “so our store is supporting efforts to raise funds to help those affected by the fire in a community fundraising campaign.”

Hamilton notes that store customers are encouraged to donate to the fund from July 26 through Aug. 14. Bartells is matching funds up to $1,500. All money raised will be donated to a fund set up for this purpose.

At 2:47 a.m. on Friday, Bothell’s historic Mercantile Building, which was being renovated, caught fire. The fire quickly spread to the Bothell Mall building across the street. By the time is was extinguished, more than 20 businesses were affected. Damages are estimated in excess of $15 million dollars.