SEATTLE — A Seattle brother and sister opened a new food truck to serve the community and make a living. Now, they're the victims of crime not once but twice within a month of opening the new business.
"We just want to keep supporting the neighborhood and putting out good sandwiches and boil peanuts for everyone," said Jennifer Wade, the co-owner of Aimee Owenz, located off Southwest Barton Street and 35th Avenue Southwest.
That's the goal for Jennifer and her brother Zach, who just opened the food truck Oct. 15.
"We have been through a lot already in our short time in opening," said Wade.
It's been a dream for these siblings to own a business together. But their introduction to the neighborhood has been rough.
"My brother's truck was parked on the side; it's the one that would pull the trailer. It got broken into, and it's deemed total because they broke the ignition," said Wade.
That incident happened Nov. 6. Just five days later, thieves targeted the food truck again.
"Completely ripped all of this apart; cut open that,” said Wade. “And then the door was also busted our lock completely open and tried to get in through the top and through the side here with a crowbar."
Wade estimates the damage will cost $10,000 to $15,000. A devastating loss that will take at least three months in sales to recoup.
“It feels very violating just to know that people were in your space, and people are damaging things that we worked really hard to start and to get going and somebody can take it away really quickly," said Wade.
"We're supporting them and we're backing them up," said Jordan Williams. She’s just one of many customers showing this new business the love it deserves. "We love local business, we love shopping small, and we want them to do well," said Williams.
As this food truck looks to make a stand, the owners are grateful for the community's support.
"We're resilient, we're not going to put down the fight,” said Wade. “Just another bump in the road. But we'll be able to get over it. We'll just keep climbing and keep going."
The truck is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wade said she reported the two crimes to the police. She and her brother also hope their insurance will help cover some of the losses.