Ferguson Store Owners: Customers ‘Too Scared’ to Bring Business to the Area

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Sadly, the ignorance and bad behaviors taking place in Ferguson has become so predictable.

Ferguson Store Owners: Customers ‘Too Scared’ to Bring Business to the Area

FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS ST. LOUIS) - Businesses in Ferguson say they are “going to wait and see” how to sustain what has been a tumultuous few months of riots and dramatically reduced revenue, with some local store owners saying customers are “too scared” to bring their business to the area.

Local stores and businesses throughout Ferguson expressed feelings of frustration and uncertainty as many have boarded-up windows, increased security measures and lost thousands of dollars in revenue amid protests stemming from the Aug. 9 police shooting death of Michael Brown. Many businesses said they will just have to wait and see what happens ahead of an expected November ruling on whether or not to indict officer Darren Wilson.

“We’ve lost $200 to $300 in business nightly, people are afraid to pick up in the night, after dark,” said Tammy Cao of the Hunan Chop Suey Chinese Restaurant. “People are too scared at night … I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

She said the store has “paid $1,500 out-of-pocket for window damages” caused by rioters, because the $5,000 insurance deductible “did not add up.”

“I know customers who have left the area … I just want everything to go back to normal and everyone can do business again.”

A return to normalcy is a sentiment echoed by many Ferguson businesses. Zisser Tire & Auto said the rioters “knocked out 90 percent of our windows, which are still boarded up.”

“We’ve just been trying to go to work, business as usual – nobody wants to take the boards down until we see what happens. It’s more of the not knowing what’s going to happen next.”

Jenny of Don Henefer Jewelers said that although their store has not been directly harmed by the Ferguson protests or rioters, they now “put all the jewelry away at night.”

The Swiish Bar and Grill owners have filed a lawsuit against the state of Missouri, St. Louis County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the cities of Ferguson and Jennings for what they claim is more than $25,000 in lost revenue. Owners Chantelle and Corey Nixon-Clark told KTVI-TV they were forced to close their doors for weeks as a law enforcement command post was set up in the Jennings shopping center amid the riots.

Some store owners said that customer and business fears are a shared experience.

“I feel scared about my business,” Rokhaya Biteye, owner of Daba African Hair Braiding in one of the modest strip malls that line West Florissant, told Reuters.

She said profits have evaporated to almost nothing since the shooting. In weeks prior, she generally pulled in about $800, but is now bringing in less than $100 each week.

“I don’t think it will work anymore,” she said, adding that she has no insurance. Charles of Ferguson Burger Bar & More said that he has resolved not to make any added security provisions to the store because of his faith in a higher power.

“I’m going to leave it up to the man I put in charge originally, I’m going to leave it up to God,” he said. “I’m not boarding up, I’m not closing.”

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/10/30/ferguson-store-owners-customers-too-scared-to-bring-business-to-the-area/

Edited October 31, 2014 by ExExpat

[lostinblue 1,989]

wait until they run out of money. ... They cannot run down to the basement and print off another ten thousand for the month. Marv will be on here complaining about lack of jobs. ... About a few weeks after they leave for good

[Curmudgeon 227]

What do you mean by 'too predictable'? Obviously this isn't an affluent go ahead community is it? The problems that this community faces are largely as a result of the community struggling to maintain an adequate economic structure to maintain the population. Given that's the real problem, who's really trying to resolve it?

[Karee 4,190]

What do you mean by 'too predictable'? Obviously this isn't an affluent go ahead community is it? The problems that this community faces are largely as a result of the community struggling to maintain an adequate economic structure to maintain the population. Given that's the real problem, who's really trying to resolve it?

I think the point being made is that in an already tough economic situation, it's probably not a good idea to run around vandalizing and looting the businesses that serve your neighborhood. They may close up shop and leave, never to return. It's happened in previous riots.

[UncleBeer 244]

The problems that this community faces are largely as a result of the community struggling to maintain an adequate economic structure to maintain the population.

Because the community has destroyed any reason for businesses to move there. Cause -> effect. It's that simple. They're reaping the fruits of their own 'labors'.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think the point being made is that in an already tough economic situation, it's probably not a good idea to run around vandalizing and looting the businesses that serve your neighborhood. They may close up shop and leave, never to return. It's happened in previous riots.

Riots usually aren't based on rational thought. Just sayin'...

[Karee 4,190]

Riots usually aren't based on rational thought. Just sayin'...

No doubt.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Riots usually aren't based on rational thought. Just sayin'...

What... NO! Well I be darn. Who knew.

Water is wet just saying

[lostinblue 1,989]

Areas that have had riots often have that "burned out "look decades later.

[Curmudgeon 227]

Because the community has destroyed any reason for businesses to move there. Cause -> effect. It's that simple. They're reaping the fruits of their own 'labors'.

This is not an economically active area of the US and while you may believe that it's economically stifled because of a couple of riots you would be flat out wrong.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Because the community has destroyed any reason for businesses to move there. Cause -> effect. It's that simple. They're reaping the fruits of their own 'labors'.

No doubt.

What... NO! Well I be darn. Who knew.

Water is wet just saying

Sadly, it's pathetic to watch what happens time and time again to a small segment of the American population and in Ferguson who repeat the inner city mantras to disdain success, due process of law, law enforcement, and the American legal system. They have been sold a bill of goods by race-baiters like Sharpton who take advantage of minority weakness and vulnerabilities to build their wealth.

[UncleBeer 244]

This is not an economically active area of the US and while you may believe that it's economically stifled because of a couple of riots you would be flat out wrong.

Obviously it was active, as thriving businesses were looted and burned out; now it's far less active. Dissemble all you want, but the causality there is undeniable.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

What... NO! Well I be darn. Who knew.

Water is wet just saying

I wonder, then, what the point was of making the point that rioting isn't a good idea economically? Naturally, it isn't.

I think the point being made is that in an already tough economic situation, it's probably not a good idea to run around vandalizing and looting the businesses that serve your neighborhood. They may close up shop and leave, never to return. It's happened in previous riots.

[Curmudgeon 227]

Sadly, it's pathetic to watch what happens time and time again to a small segment of the American population and in Ferguson who repeat the inner city mantras to disdain success, due process of law, law enforcement, and the American legal system. They have been sold a bill of goods by race-baiters like Sharpton who take advantage of minority weakness and vulnerabilities to build their wealth.

Yes, that's so true, black people just hate the idea of success, don't respect the law and are led astray by radicals. Brilliantly racist and yet, you clearly think that you are the least racist person here. No doubt you would like the poor dears to succeed, if only they would all just give up their silly liberal dependency, right?

Obviously it was active, as thriving businesses were looted and burned out; now it's far less active. Dissemble all you want, but the causality there is undeniable.

It was a poor community, it is a poor community. This is not an economically active area of the US. How can I make this any clearer? Losing a few more mom and pop stores really doesn't change the overall economic climate of an area.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I think the point being made is that in an already tough economic situation, it's probably not a good idea to run around vandalizing and looting the businesses that serve your neighborhood. They may close up shop and leave, never to return. It's happened in previous riots.

A world without consequences may exist in a parallel universe, but can't be found in this one.