ROCHESTER, NY – A smash-and-grab at The Lash Trap has business owner Janique Stacy picking up the pieces again.
Rochester Police said the retail space in Iceland Park, which has been closed for several months, was broken into and merchandise was stolen. The exact time and date when the location was broken into is unknown, but it appears to have happened in March. A broken window was found at the location. According to the police, there is no information at this time, which is why they believe that a vehicle was used to destroy the area.
“The first time it wasn’t a really big break in so they broke the window, but they didn’t break all the way inside. This time they entered and the police came and managed what they need to be managed and the police report and that’s it,” said Stacy.
Just a week after the attempted break-in, the vandals returned and this time took the store’s merchandise.
“You are a Black business in a neighborhood. You’re sitting here with merchandise you know. Some people know that I have these things here. That’s why they keep coming back,” said Stacy.
Stacy speaks and informs other local business owners downtown.
Just make sure you have insurance and have an inventory of everything you have. Because it doesn’t matter if you give back to the community or not. It’s the same community that you provide that comes into your store,” Stacy said.
Through it all, this has not dampened Stacy’s spirit and her commitment to serving the community she loves.
“I always have cookouts. I administered the Narcan. I gave clothes. I gave the hair. I will give anything. There are people who come in here without money. Ask me for money. I’ll ask for some clothes. Whatever they ask of me, I am here for them. I have nothing to do with helping the poor,” said Stacy.
“For me to be the person that I am. I’ll give someone the shirt off my back. There’s nothing that can’t be taken from me, so for that to happen to me, it’s like wow. Protect yourself. Protect your things. Protect you.”
That was a promise he was determined to keep no matter what.
