SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A burglary at a shuttered salon in the College Area has dealt a 'punch to the gut' to an owner struggling to keep her business open.
Just before 6 a.m. Sunday morning, video shows someone at the door of 'DO Beauty Boutique on El Cajon Boulevard. In the video, the door can be heard being pried open for several minutes, before the burglar lets himself in. Another intruder soon follows. With flashlights shining, they go shopping for more than 20 minutes before ripping down the surveillance camera.
"It's gut-wrenching. Just trying not to cry," said salon owner Tiffany Schaaff.
Schaaff who opened the salon three years ago.
"They cleaned us out. Definitely a punch to the gut," said Schaaff.
Shelves full of retail hair products are now empty. Also missing were tools of the trade, including flat irons, blow dryers, and scissors. The thieves even took drawers to carry out their haul.
The total loss, including damage to the front door, is now at $3,000 and climbing. Schaaff has insurance, but even the deductible is a hardship.
"Very trying. Definitely a month-to-month situation as to whether we are going to continue," said Schaaff.
The salon is in its third shutdown of the pandemic. Yearly revenues are down about 75%.
"We’re bleeding out our pockets ... There’s $100 left in the salon account and we’ve cleared my savings," said Schaaff.
An emotional Schaff vows to fight to keep her salon open, but it’s getting tougher every day, and this break-in just dealt her even more pain.
"I am going to continue persevering. I'm going to try to do that the best I can. At what point do we keep continue taking a hit on a personal level for a business, but it’s also my dream. That’s the line we’re towing," said Schaaff.
A Gofundme campaign has been set up to help the salon recover.
Anyone with information on the case if asked to call Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477.
