Shattered glass and a sense of violation have settled over Tacoma's Antique Row after a woman with a hammer allegedly went on a destructive spree Saturday morning, leaving business owners grappling with thousands of dollars in damages. In an incident that has shaken the local community, nearly every storefront on the historic strip now displays the scars of sudden violence, according to a report by KING 5.
Among the afflicted, Mary Fleitas, owner of Vessel Vintage Collective, faces a daunting $7,000 to $8,000 to replace her store's vintage glass panes. "Just our windows alone, we're looking at $7,000 to $8,000 in damage. That's a lot for us," Fleitas recounted, noting that a recent replacement took two years to complete. To help, Fleitas has launched a GoFundMe, with plans to support other businesses if donations exceed her goal. Conversely, Alan Gorsuch, owner of Sanford and Sons Antiques, counts himself lucky that his windows didn’t completely break, a small mercy amid the chaos, as he told FOX 13.
Mitch Barstad, owner of Mecca Mercantile, noted the negative impact boarded-up windows could have on foot traffic and sales, a sentiment reflected by other local entrepreneurs. "The person who did this, really needs help. They’re a danger to themselves and other people," said a store owner who requested anonymity, alluding to past incidents attributed to the alleged vandal, who according to informants resides in a nearby apartment. Their comments were echoed in concerns voiced by other shopkeepers suffering from the rash of destruction.
In the wake of the vandalism, solidarity within the community appears to be strengthening, with store owners like Alex Verchereau of Big Dawg Barbershop lamenting the damage done to their lifework. "We put a lot of time and effort into our businesses," Verchereau emphasized to FOX 13. Crystal Ngyun appealed directly to the public, urging support through patronage: "The best way people can help is to come down and shop at our stores," she said, determined to overcome adversity with community backing. Several stores have followed Fleitas's lead, setting up their own GoFundMe campaigns to cover repair costs.
The Tacoma Downtown Partnership demonstrated immediate response and support, with team members helping with cleanup in the early hours following the incident. The partnership, along with the affected business owners, now looks toward the strength and support of the Tacoma community to rebuild what was broken, in more ways than one. For those who embrace the character and history of Antique Row, the moment is a call to action, an invitation to aid in the restoration of a beloved piece of Tacoma's heart.
