ARVADA, Colo. — Several shops in Olde Town Arvada are in a tough financial spot after a series of smash-and-grab burglaries.
The Arvada police department is currently conducting an investigation to determine the individuals responsible for a series of burglaries that have occurred at three businesses in the past fortnight.
And with the holiday shopping season beginning this weekend, businesses are now banking on a big turnout.
“Looked like they took some type of hard object and smashed the door in,” said Sharon Hodge, owner of Pet Wants Arvada.
Sharon Hodge
Before Hodge opened up her pet supply store last Monday, she got a phone call from Arvada police.
“All of our product was broken and pushed over and glass was everywhere… cash register was gone and so was our speaker system,” she said.
In total, the store is out $2,500 after the break-in.
“This is not an inexpensive part of town to have a shop, so this was devastating to us,” said Hodge.
Sharon Hodge
Along with the financial hit this holiday season, Hodge said her sense of security has taken one too.
“Being close with other businesses in the area, we’re all freaked out,” she said.
Right across the street, Burd’s Nest Art Gallery is also recovering after a break-in.
It’s owner, Judi Mitchell, said she caught the thief on camera stealing a stack of bills from the gallery’s cash drawer.
A business owner named Mitchell expressed how the theft of $400 to $500 has a significant impact on his livelihood, as it represents the profits for the entire month. This loss restricts his ability to support artists and meet financial obligations.
Both of these business owners are banking on a busy Black Friday and Small Business Saturday to recover.
Mitchell emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses, especially during the holiday season, urging people to purchase their gifts from local stores rather than online giants like Amazon. He emphasized the benefits of buying locally to support the community.
There is a GoFundMe to help Pet Wants Arvada after the burglary.
So far, Arvada police say no arrests have been made.
