LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Just after midnight, a local business, CBD American Shaman of Lubbock, was broken into by two unknown men.
Owner Jennifer Garza said the break-in made a difficult year even more difficult for her and her business. Since opening in 2018, the locally-owned store has opened five times.
“I just don't understand why, when the economy is so bad right now, so many people think that if they own their own business they have a lot of money and it doesn't matter and they can recover. No. That’s not the case,” Garza said. “I have a family and this is a mom-and-pop business and we are just trying to survive like everyone else.”
Garza said nothing was stolen, but the two men destroyed merchandise in the store and knocked over the shelves she had set up.
Garza is using this opportunity to encourage other small business owners to put systems in place to protect their stores.
“And be sure to have alarms and cameras and keep all valuables safe,” she said. “This is a group of people, not one individual, so make sure you dot your I's and cross your T's.”
Garza said that although he has been through a lot, he is not going anywhere and wants to continue helping the community.
“We have lived through COVID-19. During COVID-19, we donated several gallons of hand sanitizer to police departments,” Garza said. “We're just trying to give back when people donate school supplies. We're going to adopt a senior for Christmas.”
Garza is asking the community to support local businesses as much as possible.
“Like many others, 2024 has been a very difficult year and this will only make it even more difficult, so I ask you to support local businesses wherever you can. That's all you can do,” Garza said.
If you have any information regarding this break-in, please call the Crime Line at 806-741-1000.
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