‘Disturbing’: Multiple businesses in Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighbourhood vandalized – Saskatoon

It was a sad and frustrating sight to go to work Wednesday morning after multiple Saskatoon businesses were vandalized Tuesday evening.

Several businesses along Avenue C South in the Riversdale neighbourhood of Saskatoon had their windows smashed, including Pretty Young Thing Studios.

“It’s definitely a scary feeling,” said Pretty Young Thing Studios co-owner Natashia Gagnon. “All it takes is one person to come in and trash our store and we’re going to have a bad day.”

The second owner, Anna Gagnon, said she found a note from police Wednesday morning.

“I actually looked up from the middle of the studio and that’s when I saw the broken window,” Anna said. “It’s depressing.”

A similar story takes place right next door at Nefelibata Arts and Crafts.

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“I dropped my son off for his first day of high school, was having a great time being a mom, and then I was in the middle of writing a post about how amazing my first six months of running this business have been… and then I saw a picture of a broken window,” said co-owner Shannon Kuehn.

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A total of four businesses were vandalized, according to Saskatoon police.

Police say they were patrolling the area just before 9 p.m. when they received a report of smashed windows at a business in the area. Officers arrived and found the suspect pointing a gun at a Landa Autobody.

Police arrested a 28-year-old man who now faces several charges related to misdemeanors under $5,000.

This is not the first time businesses in the area have had to deal with acts of vandalism and theft.

“We have another window on the side of the building that was once smashed by a brick,” Anna said.

Kuehn said vehicles parked in front of the stores were also damaged.

“It’s a systemic problem,” she said. “It’s not just ‘how can we better police people?’ That’s not the problem. They need more support.”

Residents of the area say they live well here, but unfortunately crime is increasing and bills are rising because of it.

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“I got a quote this morning and it said it would cost $1,200 to fix,” Anna said. “That’s a lot for a small business.”

Kuehn has noticed more and more stores in the area closing, which she believes is partly because of crime.

“There are a lot of businesses open in the area because no one wants to rent apartments because people are afraid to do so,” Kuehn said.

Business owners say the situation is incredibly frustrating, but the support of the community makes it a little easier.

“I’ve had a few followers and friends of the store reach out to me and say, ‘Can I pay your franchise? How can I help?’” Kuehn said.