'I'm feeling violated and angry': Downtown Madison businesses bearing brunt of community outrage
From the Pain and protest: Madison responds to the police killing of George Floyd (Summer 2020) series
- Updated
For three nights, business on and around State Street in Downtown Madison have been sitting ducks for those who have taken advantage of the uproar over the killing of George Floyd to vandalize and steal their property. Almost every business on the street, from new ventures to those that have been around for decades, has been hit by graffiti, broken windows or looting. Above most of these properties are apartments occupied by residents, many of them terrified of what the nightly raids might bring. While the owners are weary of the damage, support for the cause behind the protests is nearly unanimous. "It’s kind of small in comparison to what’s happening in the world,” said Martha Askins, whose bookstore, Paul’s Books, had its windows smashed Tuesday.
Brennan Sheedy
Green Barn Door, 544 State St.
Ninety percent of the store’s inventory was stolen early Tuesday when boards were pulled off the front and a cast iron cover to a gas main hurled through a window.
“All our shelves were full. They smashed our (security) cameras, raided the office in the back and took everything. I’m so sad. I never expected to have this happen. I’m taking it hour by hour, pretty much. I’m all in support of protesting and everything but not something like this.”
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNALJohn Hutchinson
Fontana Sports, 216 N. Henry St.
Tens of thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise looted over three nights with more costs in damages; remaining inventory moved to storage.
"I'm feeling violated and angry. I know there's a lot of pain from the merchants Downtown."
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNALMartha Askins
Paul’s Books, 670 State St.
Front windows smashed early Tuesday but no inventory taken.
“It’s sad on so many levels. What this country is going through is so tragic, and what happened to George Floyd is tragic and words don’t really explain how to feel about it. I respect people that are making their voices known, and it’s too bad we’ve had this damage. But it’s kind of small in comparison to what’s happening in the world.”
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNALT.J. Meadowcraft
Chiba Hut, 453 W. Gilman St.
Boarded up as a preventive measure, but a Molotov cocktail created a small fire in an adjacent alley early Tuesday.
“We have no control over it. We’ve done what we can. We’re just waiting for it to be over with. Obviously, I understand (the protests), though. But there’s a lot of people taking advantage of it and not really doing it for the right reasons.”
BARRY ADAMS, STATE JOURNALGeoff Kopski
Freedom Skateshop, 434 State St.
Broken windows but inventory had been removed
“I’ll hunker down until whenever we think we can reopen again. It’s been an interesting few days, but it’s been an interesting few months, too. Justice needs to be served for what happened (to Floyd). The message needs to get across that this can’t continue to happen. It sucks that small businesses and people like that are being impacted, but the message needs to get out there. I’m hoping it’s heard.”
BARRY ADAMS, STATE JOURNALJosh Hurley
Whiskey Jack’s Saloon, 552 State St.
Three windows broken early Tuesday but no entry gained
“Where were the police. I’m a small business. What am I supposed to do. This is crazy. We’ve been out here all morning and haven’t seen the mayor, an alderperson, nothing. An utter failure.”
BARRY ADAMS, STATE JOURNALLaura and Sachi Komai
Anthology, 230 State St.
Minimal damage; had boards put up before Monday night's protests
Quote: "I feel like Madison has failed its people for a long time," Laura Komai said, referring to longstanding racial disparities documented in the city. "I think some people are going to be peaceful about it, and others aren't."
SHELLEY K. MESCH, STATE JOURNALSam Chehade
Michelangelo's Coffee House, 114 State St.
Minimal damage; boarded up windows ahead of Monday night's protests.
"I believe in the protests, but unfortunately, things are turning to chaos. Those are not the protesters. This is not helping the cause."
SHELLEY K. MESCH, STATE JOURNALMarcel Colbert
Art Gecko, 510 State St.
Windows broken Saturday evening while customers were in the shop.
“It was definitely a group of 10 to 15 hell bent on destruction and then at least 50 to 70 going along with it. They were the followers. There was zero political message going on.”
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNALKai Cheng
Taiwan Little Eats, 320 State St.
No damage; had windows boarded up as a precaution.
"We live in the same community, so we try to help with peace and love."
SHELLEY K. MESCH, STATE JOURNALIn this Series
Pain and protest: Madison responds to the police killing of George Floyd (Summer 2020)
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Updated
Police protests: How Madison answered the police killing of George Floyd, in photos
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Updated
Photos: Look back at Madison's 'Forward' statue through the years as protesters down Capitol Square replica
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Updated
Restore or replace? Community reckons with what’s next for Capitol’s fallen statues
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