A string of break-ins, robberies and vandalism has some Preston business owners worried as they try to survive from a series of shutdowns over the last few years.
The pandemic put a strain on a lot of local businesses. Add in inflation and rising gas prices, some were concerned they may not make it.
Now as the downtown Preston businesses start to come back and make a profit again, a few of them are being hit by consistent robberies and vandalism, just within the last few weeks.
La Lola Catering, a Preston restaurant on King Street, said almost every morning they wake up to find something missing or damaged.
On top of that, last Thursday night they had their patio equipment destroyed, which forced them to close for lunch that day, losing more revenue.
“When you finally have things up and running and things are going good, then you have people vandalizing the patio, smashing your windows, stealing alcohol and product, ravaging everything because they are looking for money. I really didn’t need that right now,” co-owner Vanessa Stankiewicz said.
La Lola Catering opened just five months before the pandemic started. Their Spanish food and theme has been a hit so far with the locals.
The owners, a husband and wife duo, want to create a lively and pretty atmosphere for their customers. They bought patio lights, flowers and other decor to try and bring more life into the downtown Preston core.
“We had 12 lights in our planters at the front, they were stolen, we have two left.”
Their patio was also destroyed in the major storm Ontario had earlier this summer, pushing their equipment across the street and hitting someone’s car nearby.
“Our plants were ripped out when we got here yesterday, one of the lights we had was smashed and glass was everywhere,” Stankiewicz said.
Last summer they had zero issues with break-ins and vandalism. This summer, she mentioned it has been consistent and constant.
“There is always something. We had glass, don’t know where it came from, all smashed in our front a couple weeks ago as well. You can tell something isn’t right.”
Stankiewicz and her husband, chef Miguel Pastor, are worried about whether or not the theft and vandalism will keep happening.
Waterloo Region police services told the owners they had caught the perpetrator who vandalized their patio property last Thursday night after a neighbour was able to witness it and phone it in.
Stankiewicz said the police informed them they were planning on releasing the person as they were a displaced individual.
“They said it is someone who is possibly living on the streets. They said the person was apologetic and there was no real reason for doing that; they were just drunk or high," Stankiewicz said.
They said they were also told local police were short staffed, without enough officers to patrol at night.
Waterloo Region Police Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Another Cambridge business that has seen a string of break-ins is Mr. Sub, located across the street from La Lola Catering.
Manager Natasha Potter, said they have been there for four years now without any incidents, but the week before last someone broke in three nights in a row.
“I never had any break-ins ever.”
Potter mentioned every time they smashed the front door window, unlocked it and let themselves in.
In just those three days they have just under $4,000 in damages, not including what was stolen.
“The second time they took chips, pop and meat. The third time they emptied the fire extinguisher and they broke my POS computer screen. My fridges were left open so that is all stuff I have to replace because it is defrosted,” Potter said.
Mr. Sub in Preston often gives the homeless community nearby free food or drinks, which is what made this recent string of theft worrisome to Potter.
She doesn’t understand why someone would do this as it is mainly cosmetic damage.
Mr. Sub has since put bars over their front doors for security purposes.
“I never thought in the world I would do it until I got broken into three times.”
Potter is also investing in a new security camera system, adding to the cost.
Nobody was hurt in the store, which she is most grateful for, since it was done after the store was closed.
“We live in different times now and it is rough on everybody,” Potter added.
Potter and Stankiewicz both mentioned the new security cameras the city is putting up in the street in front of them.
“Do I think it’s going to help or deter them? No,” Stankiewicz said.
The owners of La Lola Catering recently joined the local downtown Preston BIA and is hoping they can get overnight security like other downtown's in Cambridge have.
“We want to have a safe downtown. We want the businesses to flourish so we can have a more unique downtown. If you want people to come to the downtown you have to create an atmosphere for it,” Stankiewicz added.
La Lola posted a video on Facebook following last Thursday night's incident.
