‘We can’t support survivors,’ says founder of store for DV victims after $5k stolen before drastic anti-theft measures

A THRIFT store that supports survivors of domestic violence were forced to shut down temporarily after thousands of dollars worth of technology and goods were stolen.  Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign had to shutter its doors this week after being targeted in a massive retail theft crime on early Tuesday morning. Google MapsA thirft store was forced to temporarily shut its doors after a costly break-in this week[/caption] Store founder, Amanda Kroetsch revealed approximately $5,000 was stolenCTV News Courtesy of Amanda KroetschElectronics, money and products were stolen early Tuesday morning[/caption] CTV NewsThe thrift store supports survivors of domestic violence[/caption] Three days later, the store – located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada approximately 1.5 hours west of Toronto – was still cleaning up after the break-in.  Amanda Kroetsch, the founder and executive director of the third store, told CTV News that thousands of dollars worth of items were stolen.  “Stuff was missing. Our iPad was missing. All of the stuff we used to take sales, our safe. A lot of things of value had been taken,” Kroetsch said.  Kroetsch estimated that the electronics and cash combined added up to around $5,000 stolen.  While security footage shows an individual breaking into the store at around 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Kroetsch revealed that it was hard to tell who the suspect was.  “[Wearing] all black. Very hard to see anything,” Kroestch said.  “And with a backpack, kind of popping up and down in our aisles at the store here, shoving stuff in a backpack.”  The store supports many different survivors of domestic violence every month, by allowing the individuals to shop at no cost.  However, due to the break-in, they were unable to welcome anyone into the store, as they were unable to process any sales. “We can’t support local survivors of domestic violence right now, and we normally do one or two shops a week to support people,” Kroetsch told the outlet.  “So that’s really the worst part of it,” Kroetsch.  Alicia Flynn, a volunteer at Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign, told CTV News it was “sad” the store had to close its doors.  “It’s sad that it had to be closed when so many people could have been helped.”  The store aimed to reopen on Saturday, after receiving replacement electronics.  However, Kroetsch said they are still unsure of what exactly was taken.  We can’t support local survivors of domestic violence right now, and we normally do one or two shops a week to support people. Amanda KroetschCTV News The store founder explained that the staff does not take an inventory of every single item that is received.  In fact, the store reportedly has a sign on its front door asking individuals not to steal and instead urges those in need to ask any worker for what they are looking for.  Moving forward, Kroetsch said the thrift store plans on increasing its security measures, similarly to other major U.S. businesses that have been targeted by rampant retail theft across the country. “We had them come in, just completely overhaul everything, reteach us how to use everything,” Kroetsch said.  “We now have panic buttons as well, even though we weren’t here when this theft happened.  “Everybody’s kind of spooked, of course.”  Waterloo regional police are reportedly investigating the incident.  Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.

‘We can’t support survivors,’ says founder of store for DV victims after $5k stolen before drastic anti-theft measures

A THRIFT store that supports survivors of domestic violence were forced to shut down temporarily after thousands of dollars worth of technology and goods were stolen. 

Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign had to shutter its doors this week after being targeted in a massive retail theft crime on early Tuesday morning.

Google Maps
A thirft store was forced to temporarily shut its doors after a costly break-in this week[/caption]
Store founder, Amanda Kroetsch revealed approximately $5,000 was stolen
CTV News
Courtesy of Amanda Kroetsch
Electronics, money and products were stolen early Tuesday morning[/caption]
CTV News
The thrift store supports survivors of domestic violence[/caption]

Three days later, the store – located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada approximately 1.5 hours west of Toronto – was still cleaning up after the break-in. 

Amanda Kroetsch, the founder and executive director of the third store, told CTV News that thousands of dollars worth of items were stolen. 

“Stuff was missing. Our iPad was missing. All of the stuff we used to take sales, our safe. A lot of things of value had been taken,” Kroetsch said. 

Kroetsch estimated that the electronics and cash combined added up to around $5,000 stolen. 

While security footage shows an individual breaking into the store at around 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Kroetsch revealed that it was hard to tell who the suspect was. 

“[Wearing] all black. Very hard to see anything,” Kroestch said. 

“And with a backpack, kind of popping up and down in our aisles at the store here, shoving stuff in a backpack.” 

The store supports many different survivors of domestic violence every month, by allowing the individuals to shop at no cost. 

However, due to the break-in, they were unable to welcome anyone into the store, as they were unable to process any sales.

“We can’t support local survivors of domestic violence right now, and we normally do one or two shops a week to support people,” Kroetsch told the outlet. 

“So that’s really the worst part of it,” Kroetsch. 

Alicia Flynn, a volunteer at Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign, told CTV News it was “sad” the store had to close its doors. 

“It’s sad that it had to be closed when so many people could have been helped.” 

The store aimed to reopen on Saturday, after receiving replacement electronics. 

However, Kroetsch said they are still unsure of what exactly was taken. 

We can’t support local survivors of domestic violence right now, and we normally do one or two shops a week to support people.

Amanda KroetschCTV News

The store founder explained that the staff does not take an inventory of every single item that is received. 

In fact, the store reportedly has a sign on its front door asking individuals not to steal and instead urges those in need to ask any worker for what they are looking for. 

Moving forward, Kroetsch said the thrift store plans on increasing its security measures, similarly to other major U.S. businesses that have been targeted by rampant retail theft across the country.

“We had them come in, just completely overhaul everything, reteach us how to use everything,” Kroetsch said. 

“We now have panic buttons as well, even though we weren’t here when this theft happened. 

“Everybody’s kind of spooked, of course.” 

Waterloo regional police are reportedly investigating the incident. 

Retail Therapy KW Thrift & Consign did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.