PORTLAND, Ore. — Southeast Portland business owners are overwhelmed by recent break-ins. One restaurant was broken into twice in the last week alone, and another restaurant had to pay more than $1,000 after someone broke its window.
The latest incident of vandalism occurred at Cafe Rowan in Portland's Woodstock neighborhood last weekend, when a window was smashed. Owner Spencer Ivankow said he has spent nearly $10,000 replacing broken windows and doors since he opened his farm-to-table restaurant three years ago.
“The windows still cost $1,200 each time. The doors cost $3,000, so I don't know what to do,” Ivankow said.
In the nearby Sellwood neighborhood, the owners of Philadelphia Steak and Hoagies have a similar story. He told KGW that his home had been broken into twice in the last week. Despite spending thousands of dollars trying to stop people from entering, people still find a way, he said.
Credit: Cafe Rowan, Instagram
A photo of a broken window seen at Cafe Rowan in Southeast Portland. A photo shared by restaurant owner Spencer Ivankow on social media.
After this weekend's break-in, Ivankow took to social media to vent his frustration, criticizing Mayor Ted Wheeler and city leadership for “no leadership, no accountability, no support” for business owners.
“My post over the weekend was directed at city employees,” he told KGW. “Without all these small businesses, the city is hurting right now.”
After Ivankow took office, he was contacted by the mayor's office and said the two sides will meet later this week to discuss what can be done to prevent the intrusion.
“The whole community here, especially the neighborhood, is really special. To open in the middle of a pandemic three years ago and still be here is special. We don't take that lightly,” Ivankoe said. he said.
