PORT TOWNSEND — One day less than a year after flames burned the heart out of the uptown, ground was broken Tuesday for a new Aldrich’s Market on the same site where the building constructed in 1889 stood.

Reflecting the community spirit that co-owners David Hamilton and Jonathan Ryweck said helped carry them through the 365 days since the fire, a crowd of more than 100 people filled the sidewalk, spilling onto Lawrence Street, during the 20-minute ceremony.

As Ryweck and Hamilton began to talk, a truck carrying the security fence that will surround the construction site pulled into view.

“Incredible support from the community kept us going,” Ryweck said before the ceremony started.

Hamilton and Ryweck both admitted that there had been times during the past year when they didn’t think the store would be rebuilt.

“There were some dark days,” Ryweck said.