A blaze that ripped through a tattoo shop on Short St in May 2007 caused an estimated $500,000 damage to six nearby businesses.

Police believe an accelerant similar to a Molotov cocktail was used but, so far, there have been no arrests.

Of the seven retail spaces in the now-refurbished building, only three have been leased.

One of those stores belongs to Ray Wilson, who runs the Short St Dry Cleaners.

The long-time business owner said life was pretty much back to normal.

“We only closed for about five weeks while different parts of the building were being repaired,” he said.

“But many of our customers did think we had closed and it has been tough.

“If we had moved the business after the fire I don’t think we would have recovered.”

LJ Hooker Commercial and Raine & Horne Commercial are co-leasing the building on behalf of the owner.

Raine & Horne agent Luke Horton said the empty shops were a reflection of a tough economic market.

“We took over the lease of the building just after the fire,” he said.

“That end of Short St is a destination location, and I think the empty shops are more to do with the market at the moment than the fire.

“The building’s owner has become more discerning about its tenants.”

Chris Bryant of Noeledge Systems moved into the corner shop at the Coles end of Short St in May this year.

The father-of-two said the new location was ideal for his business.

“There is more parking here and the corner store is a great location,” he said.

“With the building all fixed up you wouldn’t even know there had been a fire here.”