A small business in Nelsonville, Athens County, has temporarily shut its doors after experiencing a wave of thefts, including three separate incidents in a single day totaling around $150.
The owners, who moved back from the West Coast to be closer to family and invest in their hometown, say this isn’t the first time their store has been targeted. Despite having previously operated businesses in large states like California, Nevada, and Utah, they say they’ve never encountered theft at this level.
“This is breaking our hearts,” the owners wrote in a public post. “With continued thefts, we will not be able to survive… We lose more money having our doors open.”
The business, which has been open for less than a year, emphasized its desire to bring “positivity and prosperous change” to the community but admitted that repeated losses are making it difficult to stay afloat.
The owners are now seeking help from local veterans or retirees to assist with security, hoping to reopen safely. For now, the store is closed for the remainder of the day.
“We appreciate everyone who has supported us so far. Our hearts hurt,” the post concluded.
Anyone interested in helping with security is encouraged to reach out to the business directly.
