Help Badass Glass rise from the ashes after devastating fire
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POCATELLO — A devastating fire has destroyed Badass Glass, a classic car restoration shop in Pocatello known for its award-winning hot rods and long-standing reputation in the local and regional auto scene.
The blaze broke out in the early morning hours Tuesday at the shop at 2710 North Main. Jordan Miller, one of the owners, who lives on the property near the shop, said he was awakened by his son around 2 a.m. on May 13 when he noticed an unusual glow in his room.
Stepping outside, Miller was met with the horrifying sight of flames engulfing the shop just a few feet away from his home. Firefighters were already on the way, but despite their efforts, the shop and its contents were a total loss.
Shalese Bowlin, granddaughter of co-owner Kevin Taresh and organizer of a GoFundMe campaign, said, “My grandpa has been restoring cars for 46 years. This wasn’t just a business, it was a passion, a livelihood, and a place where dream cars came back to life.”
The cause of the fire was a lithium battery that was charging inside the building. Unfortunately, while some of the vehicles in the shop had full coverage insurance, the shop itself was uninsured. The loss includes the building, equipment, tools, and several classic vehicles being restored, including a 1979 Ford F-350, two Volkswagen Beetles, and a 1966 Chevy pickup.
“My partner (Taresh) and I built this shop ourselves down to the very last penny either of us had. We worked hard to earn a reputation for doing the kind of work we wanted: street rods and old car restoration,” said Miller. “We were finally getting to where everything was lining up for us, and we had gotten most of the tools to do everything, and it all went up in smoke due to one of the tools.
“The fire was so intense it literally melted the frames and aluminum wheels. Also lost were propane tanks, welders, torches and other irreplaceable equipment,” Miller added.
Badass Glass has never relied on traditional advertising. Its long waitlist, built entirely by word of mouth, was a testament to the team’s quality of work and dedication. The shop has quietly restored show-winning vehicles, supported the local classic car community and participated in numerous car shows over the years.
“They’re a lot like Ian Roussel from the popular reality TV show ‘Full Custom Garage’ — true artists in the garage,” said one family friend who visited the charred remains of the shop after hearing about the fire.
Now, with no building, no tools, and no insurance, the team is turning to the community for help. A GoFundMe page titled “Support Badass Glass: Rise from the Ashes” has been launched to raise funds to clean up the site, replace essential equipment, and help the owners begin again.
“These two (Miller and Taresh) have been working on cars in the industry since they were about 18 years old. My sister and I would go there as little girls and watch them work,” said Bowlin. “My kids are just getting to the age where they are interested in seeing the cars. It would be great to see the shop get rebuilt for the sake of their passion, continuing to serve the community with their talents and keeping it for future generations.”
To support the rebuilding of Badass Glass, visit the GoFundMe Support Badass Glass: Rise From the Ashes.
“We know times are tough, but if you can spare anything, it would mean the world to us. Please share our story and help us bring Badass Glass back from the ashes. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Bowlin said.