After decades in the fashion industry, Danillo Valoar knows a thing or two about making it work. Now, Valoar, of Stamford, is doing it again after a fire next door forced him out of his custom dressmaking and alterations shop.

On March 7, flames broke out early in the morning at Chez Vous Bistro, spreading from the restaurant to other businesses and a nonprofit in the building. All were forced to close for safety reasons.

Two weeks later, Valoar is back at work after moving Atelier Valoar Couture to a temporary spot less than 300 feet away from its Bedford Street location. He’s just around the corner at 13 Spring St.

“A lot of things have happened because of the kindness and generosity of my clients. Now, I have a very nice, temporary space for me to meet with my clients,” Valoar told News 12.

He also has a temporary workshop with new sewing machines and materials. The early morning fire in the heart of downtown Stamford wiped out most of his items, but a GoFundMe campaign has allowed him to start a new normal.

“I want to say thank you for all my clients and all the donations,” Valoar said. “Because of this, I have everything I need now to continue doing my work. I received a lot of calls this week and a lot of new appointments.”

Nearby, U & I Deco is on its way to reopening, as well. Alain and Ana Maria Bars started the framing business in 2003.

“Business was doing pretty well, actually,” Alain Bars explained. “We were really growing the past couple years. That's what we were doing—growing and growing.”

Now, the focus is rebuilding. The fire at Chez Vous Restaurant destroyed most of U & I Deco's supplies, but the owners will move into a temporary spot at 96 Bedford St. next week.

“We have to do a brand-new set up again, meaning, counters, tables to work on, redo all the wall panels for me to put all our samples of frames,” Bars said. “We're going to work very hard every day, reset as best as we can and hopefully get customers sooner than later and start little by little to continue what we've been doing.”

He and his wife have seen the community's generosity, too. A fundraising effort started by friends has given them this chance to start over.

“It's very heartwarming. We are super thankful for that, and we're going to use that money to rebuild. At least we have a little cash flow to start that. It's a big, big help,” Bars said.

Stamford fire officials said the cause of the fire at Chez Vous Bistro is still under investigation.