Anti-gentrification vandals could cost restaurant 20K
Posted March 22, 2013 7:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A Commercial Drive restaurant targeted by anti-gentrification vandals last week is now looking into security upgrades.
The windows that were smashed are still boarded up at Famoso Restaurant and owner Ryan Chilibeck says to ensure this doesn’t happen again, they may have to install metal shutters on the windows.
It’s something he says would take character away from the restaurant.
“Even just coming down here at night and seeing everything shuttered up doesn’t give the visual appeal,” he says.
He’s worried it also takes away from the entire atmosphere of the neighbourhood.
“The Commercial Drive Business Association business plan was to spruce up the street a bit more, so having people install metal shutters is definitely heading in the wrong direction. It’s not physically appealing for people walking down commercial drive,” he explains.
Chilibeck says they’ll be spending up to $20,000 on upgrades.
The anti-gentrification group claiming responsibility for the attack has warned of more to come in an online post.
Chilibeck says he’s still confused as to why people would do this.
