Montavilla Sewing took another hit in the early hours yesterday when thieves ripped two rooftop HVAC units off the building on Southeast Stark Street, marking the third time the shop has been targeted since September. The repeated break-ins have left the longtime neighborhood store literally shivering through winter and added to a growing list of small businesses along Stark Street dealing with costly damage.
Surveillance footage shows someone approaching shortly after 1 a.m., climbing onto the roof, and twisting the security camera away before two people later load items into a car trunk. Owners say this latest visit cost them two more HVAC units, bringing the total stolen from Montavilla Sewing to five since September and leaving the shop without heat during one of the coldest months of the year. Across Stark Street, damages are stacking up, with local business leaders estimating losses of more than $100,000, according to KGW.
Montavilla Sewing president Brett Moore told KGW, "We're pretty sure they're after the copper inside the units," pointing out that each rooftop system costs roughly $25,000 to replace while thieves might only get about $150 in scrap value. The company is on the hook for a $1,000 insurance deductible for every stolen unit and is now worried about whether coverage will even continue into the summer. Surveillance video and owner accounts show the thieves moving quickly and deliberately before driving away.
Why the thefts matter for a longtime local shop
Montavilla Sewing has anchored the neighborhood for decades, and owners say about 20 people work at the Portland location. Having multiple rooftop units torn away has forced the shop into a cycle of emergency repairs and constant second-guessing about how to protect its equipment. Those worries echo along Stark Street, where other small retailers are watching repair bills climb and operations get disrupted while they try to stay open.
Nearby history and neighborhood response
Merchants say this latest theft fits an all-too-familiar pattern. Back in September, several Montavilla businesses reported broken windows and attempted break-ins during an overnight power outage. That earlier run of vandalism and smashed storefronts was documented by East PDX News, adding to a sense of vulnerability along the corridor. Neighborhood leaders say they are working to coordinate security efforts and mutual support as more shops are hit.
The Portland Police Bureau says it is actively investigating the thefts and is asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers. The city provides guidance on how to submit tips and report crimes online, and anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers remain available for people who do not want to share their names. Investigators are hoping that surveillance footage and community tips will be enough to identify those responsible.
For now, the owners are combing through video, boarding up vulnerable access points and rethinking how to secure the rooftop, while neighbors keep watch and wonder whether this pattern of thefts will spread. At Montavilla Sewing, the immediate concern is whether repairs and insurance will be enough to keep the doors open and the heat on through the rest of winter.
