Fire destroyed Randy Taranto's Delaware Township store in 16 minutes Christmas Eve night.

Days after the blaze, a devastated Taranto predicted the produce store would be rebuilt within four months. That timeframe turned out to be conservative.

Taranto & Sons was rebuilt -- this time, with cement blocks instead of wood -- in 60 days, Taranto said. A Memorial Day opening is planned, he added.

"This is my livelihood. I've sold produce for 16 years," Taranto said.

With a smile, Taranto, who is also a self-employed plumber, said he once lost a job because it interfered with his produce.

While he sold produce at roadside stands and summer markets for most of his years in the business, Taranto said he built a store last spring to serve as a base for his operations.

Taranto lost the store, which neighbored his home at 1559 Mercer Road, in the fire nine months later.

Also lost in the fire were two cats and four pet doves, $1,200 in store merchandise (he also sells wood furniture), tools, rifles, most business records and Christmas presents for his sons Randy Jr., Tyrus and Buck. The fire also scorched his neighboring home and knocked out his heat and electrical service.

Christmas was dreary. "I sat by myself and cried all day," he said then.

Taranto did not wallow long. The rebuilding effort began a week after the fire, Taranto said.

Taranto softened as he described the generosity of those who contributed to the effort.

His three sons earned most of his praise. Taranto and his sons did all of the work on the inside of the new building, including putting 26 gallons of paint on the cement blocks.

Lee Brothers Construction -- owned by his friend Simon Lee, the son of Enos Lee, who also sells produce -- donated time and effort to build the new store.

Jim Morrison put up a greenhouse next to the store for about one-tenth of its cost, Taranto said. The former store did not have a greenhouse. Taranto hopes the greenhouse will enable his business to become a year-round operation.

Vic Zigo, a retired Mercer County Jail guard, brought Taranto Christmas dinner the day after the fire, Taranto said.

Jim Wolf, a Delaware Township farmer, is also giving Taranto more land to grow his produce this year.

Taranto claims his corn is always ready for sale before his competitors'. He said he also sells sweet and hot peppers, zucchini, carrots, garlic and "just about anything else you can buy in a supermarket."