Popular Ocean Beach Bakery, Phatties Bake Shop, found itself embroiled in a difficult situation recently, after being plagued by a series of thefts and disturbances caused by unhoused individuals. The bakery decided to take matters into their own hands by locking its doors during business hours, placing the safety of their employees and customers at the forefront, according to CBS 8.
It all began when Phatties experienced an increase in thefts by homeless San Diego residents, as CBS 8 reported earlier this month. The bakery owners had to take quick action to deal with the escalating situation, which amongst other incidents, involved an unhoused individual entering the shop armed with a crowbar. The level of brazenness displayed in the thefts caused a growing sense of unease among employees, prompting the owners to implement a lockdown.
As per Phatties Bake Shop's Instagram post, they have been dealing with a range of issues involving unhoused individuals, including theft of products, destruction of property, and confrontational behavior. The intensity of the incidents has compelled the bakery to remain cautious during these critical times, while they strive to continue offering quality products in a safe environment for everyone involved.
As another NBC San Diego article mentioned, co-owner Susan Madueno explained that over the past few days, things took a turn for the worse when an individual armed with a crowbar repeatedly entered the premises. Not only did this cause alarm among the staff, but also pushed Susan to take more serious measures, such as filing a police report and implementing additional safety protocols for her employees.
Consequently, Phatties Bake Shop has opted for asking customers to ring a doorbell for entry, so employees would subsequently attend to them. In addition, an employee buddy system and the introduction of security tools like a horn have been put in place to provide further protection for staff and patrons.
The bakery has had a significant presence in the Ocean Beach community since its opening in 2020, even being recognized as having the best donut in San Diego by San Diego Reader's Choice Awards in 2022. Susan Madueno expressed optimism that the lockdown would be temporary, and the bakery would eventually return to normal operating procedures.
