SEATTLE — Smashed windows, broken glass, plywood entrances: sights that have become all too common among storefronts in the city of Seattle.
But now, even as the hits keep coming, Seattle business owners are losing access to a fund made to help them cover the costs.
As of Saturday, the City of Seattle's Storefront Repair Fund is no longer accepting applications. Business owners are worried that this critical safety net, part of the Office of Economic Development, is gone for good.
Since fall of 2022, businesses could apply for $2,000 in grants for damages up to two times. It was funded with federal coronavirus recovery dollars.
"The costs are a real bummer. Like, I don't think people get it," said Gail Stringer, owner of the Hawaii General Store.
Stringer's store sits on a row of small, locally owned businesses on Northeast 45th Street in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood.
"Honestly, they get hit along here — I would say — every two weeks," said Stringer.
The neighborhood's business owners are a tight-knit bunch, so an attack on one feels like an attack on all of them.
"Like I feel for ‘em, I get it," said Stringer.
The Hawaii General Store’s owner feels terrible for the owner of the nail salon two doors down, who she said immigrated from Vietnam and started the business.
"She's amazing. And she's gotten hit time after time after time. So finally she just has particleboard, plywood up in her window. And that's it. She's not taken it out," said Stringer.
This time, Stringer said the woman has not bothered to replace the glass; it can cost thousands. Additionally, she said business owners are often weary of contacting insurance to cover it.
"You use your insurance, they’re going to jack it up," said Stringer.
Just one door down, Mr. Gyros had a similar problem.
"The guys right next door to us, got their front door window smashed so many times in their restaurants that they just left their plywood up. And finally a customer of theirs was nice enough to buy them a door," said Stringer.
Storefront vandalism is a problem across the city. The Seattle Police Department reports nearly 18,000 property crimes in the first half of this year.
"Our windows are bashed," said Stringer. "Somebody's mad, they just lash out, they just throw a big rock through the window. Sometimes it's smash-and-grab stuff. But for the most part, nothing's missing."
The fund was made up of American Rescue Plan dollars, meaning it cannot be renewed. Going forward, it is unclear at this point whether the fund will be replenished, and how.
"I'd love to see that be reinstated. That'd be fantastic," said Stringer.
Stringer hopes it’ll be extended or brought back, but in the meantime, she’s hoping people continue to shop small.
“We appreciate those customers so much. It's, yeah, it kind of makes me want to cry," said Stringer.