SEATTLE — Charlie Kim, the owner of J's Quick Stop in Capitol Hill, is recovering after a robber beat him.
He's out of work for an indefinite amount of time. The incident happened Thursday, Sept. 12. Hours later, a GoFundMe had been started by the shop's next-door neighbor, Clinton Davis. He owns the neighborhood gym Cap Hill Fitness.
"I kind of just started a friendship with the owner, Charlie, his wife and his son, Joon. Charlie and I hit it off and became friends," Davis said.
When Davis found out what happened to Kim, he said his mind went to the obvious place but he didn't stay there long.
"Who did it and what are the repercussions going to be? But that doesn't help the family currently. Instead of focusing on the negative, I did what I could do to help my community," Davis said.
As of the publication of this article, the GoFundMe has reached more than $25,000, surpassing the $20,000 goal.
"Didn't expect it to take off in the way it but it did and renewed my faith in humanity," Davis said. "They're (the Kim family members) thankful for all the kind words and the support. "If people want to continue supporting, they can continue to shop at J's Quick [Stop]."
Seattle police have not released a description of the robber.
KING 5 spoke to Joon Kim, the owner's son, through text. At this time, he and his family just want to reopen their shop and get back to what they've been doing since 2007: serving the Capitol Hill Community. The younger Kim said they are working with Seattle police and hope officers are able to track down the robber.
Joon Kim posted a statement thanking the community for their support. It reads, in part:
"I would like to thank everyone for this overwhelming outpouring of support. It's certainly blown me away, but my folks really don't know how to react to it other than with sheepish embarrassment to being recipients of charity and attention.
Over the years, our customers have told me numerous times about how much they love my parents as if they were their own. I've seen them trade holiday gifts and flowers between each other and bring my folks free treats and samples from their own jobs. I've seen how hard my mom takes it when she loses great customers to the understandable churn and financial strain of living in Capitol Hill.
So as he processes all this for now, I'll be the one to express our deep gratitude to our friends, family, and community for their support."
Kim also wrote that his father's condition is improving and he was able to return home to rest.