Many businesses in the Capitol Hill neighborhood are recovering from damage by criminals. It’s the outcome from protests over the past few days, specifically on Thursday.
The community is asking how they can help some of those businesses, some of which have been helping support Black Lives Matter demonstrators from the beginning.
There is surveillance video that shows what vandals did to Ramen Danbo, and right next door, Pure Barre Capitol Hill was also vandalized, according to owner Shiva Hippely.
Hippely went to Instagram to share her thoughts: “Last night, the Capitol Hill studio and many other small businesses in the area had its windows smashed and items stolen. To wake up to this news is devastating. During a time where we are barely holding on due to the pandemic, getting hit like this hurts more than ever. I struggle with the fact that I too am angry about decisions being made in our country and everything happening, but how does smashing the windows and looting your small minority owned business who is doing everything to help build community, provide a safe third space and be there for the people help?”
Other criminals were caught on camera breaking the windows at Oma Bap, a Korean restaurant. They had two windows shattered Thursday night, but vandals damaged several other windows last month also.
The owner of Oma Bap went on to say “It’s physical property damage that can replaced and yes, that is why insurance is there. I do have insurance. What people don’t understand is that it has been extremely hard to operate as a business in this COVID-era.”
The owner said his business has made adjustments to adapt to the corona virus guidelines set by Gov. Inslee, and things slightly improved. But things became challenging again.
“For the last 3 to 4 months, our business has gone down. What’s tough (is) not only about the physical damage to our store, it’s our overall revenue that has gone down. That’s what really hurts. As a business, you need that daily revenue to continue to grow and support your staff and operate your business,” said the owner of Oma Bap.
Word about the damaged local businesses has spread on social media. So have queries on how to help.
Even though the businesses are boarded up, they’re assure you that they are open and they hope you’ll come out and support them.
“We have just told them to continue to support their small businesses. We ask that they purchase gift cards or retail from the studio or they can Venmo @purebarresea and to redeem classes that way,” said Hippely. “It’s so important that we take care of community- especially Capitol Hill, that is one of the most diverse parts of Seattle, where a lot of businesses are minority owned. “
