TACOMA, Wash. — Almost every business on Tacoma's Antique Row is assessing damage from a Saturday morning vandalism spree.
Business owners have calculated damages totaling thousands of dollars.
"Historic, large, glass panes, they're very expensive," said Mary Fleitas, owner of Vessel Vintage Collective. "Just our windows alone, we're looking at $7,000 to $8,000 in damage. That's a lot for us."
Fleitas said it took two years for them to replace another someone broke.
"We were like it's just going to happen again," Fleitas said. "We put it off and we put it off. We only got this one replaced six months ago. I'm tired, but not deterred."
Fleitas started a GoFundMe to cover the cost of getting the windows replaced. If people donate more than the goal of $7,000, Fleitas plans to give that money to other businesses.
Mitch Barstad, owner of Mecca Mercantile, expressed concern about the impact boarded-up windows have on businesses.
"It's not a good look when customers from out of town come here and their first question is why are there windows boarded up," Barstad said.
Barstad said he'd like to see the City of Tacoma help.
"You would think some city officials would be down here, checking on people seeing if there's anything to do," Barstad said.
Back in March, the City of Tacoma announced a grant opportunity for businesses to help them repair damaged storefronts. The deadline to apply for that funding passed in April. In light of this vandalism, KING 5 contacted the city to see if they would make grants available. We have not heard back just yet.
Tacoma police arrested a woman in connection with the vandalism. Fleitas said she's well-known in the neighborhood and believes mental health issues may have played a role in this vandalism spree. Several business owners told KING 5 the same thing. Fleitas would like to see the woman receive mental health support.
"She's still a person," Fleitas said. "She's still somebody's daughter, somebody's loved one."
All the shops vandalized want the community to know they are open for business. Links to their website and social media are below. Plans for a community fundraiser are underway.