On April 12th and 13th, Personal Beast Pet Supply is inviting people to shop in-store to help fund significant storefront repairs after someone broke most of their windows. Since January 2024, staff have had to gradually cover the storefront in plywood at 8119 SE Stark Street, replacing broken glass from the works of a vandal. Artistic pet portraits adorn the wood panels, while a handwritten sign assures people that the boarded-up shop is open. The store’s owner, Sara Philbrook, is now working to restore the glass and protect it with expensive polycarbonate covers. This project was beyond the store’s budget, even with support from the building’s owner. So, they worked with local supporters and vendors to develop a fundraiser with multiple ways to participate.
Personal Beast works with family-owned pet food companies and other vendors that regularly support independent stores that sell their products. Some of those brands will donate to storefront repairs for every pound of food sold on April 12th and 13th. Other vendors and supporters donated goods for baskets that people could try to win in a raffle. Those without pets can purchase pet food to donate to a charity partner or contribute through a GoFundMe campaign.
Many businesses in Montavilla suffered from broken windows. Sometimes criminals break glass during burglaries, but the recent string of injuries comes from vandalism, and its frequency is a big change from what Personal Beast has experienced in fourteen years. this. “This is the first time we have felt the financial burden of vandalism. In particular, our door was broken for the first time last summer,” Philbrook recalled. Other businesses had the same experience in June 2023. The glazers came out and replaced the door glass, and the door was back to normal. business. However, in January 2024, a person was seen on camera breaking the windows next door. Then, over the next few months, the person broke two more windows and a door. Philbrook said the video shows what appears to be the same person who threw rocks. Not all rocks break windows on every attempt, and the person never enters the building after breaking the glass.
While these attacks have been going on for months and appear to be targeted, this is not the only store to face similar vandalism. “Unfortunately, I think it’s location. I didn’t think we were being hit. I don’t think we’ve done anything in particular that makes us more likely to get hit than any other business. I think it’s just that we are in proximity to a major artery,” explained Philbrook. The store is one of the closest storefronts to SE 82nd Avenue and next to the McDonald’s parking lot. Philbrook said they have witnessed several drug-related crimes around the block and feel their proximity to that behavior may have contributed to the recent series of disturbances.
Regardless of the issues, this pet store has served the community since 2008, and its owner is committed to staying in Montavilla. “We’re really happy to be here regardless of what’s going on. As frustrating as it is, knowing that it is just one person, it’s not like it is something that we have to look forward to forever, and I hope he gets help,” said Philbrook. “Obviously, we’re going to file lawsuits, but I understand that mental illness is a real crisis here, and my parents struggled with drug addiction. So, I have a lot of empathy for people who are in active addiction. and can’t get services. I hope we can find a way to help him and move on from this situation.”
For Personal Animals, the first step forward is replacing the glass panels. However, to protect the windows, they will place Riot Glass® on the outside of the existing frames, creating a flexible barrier designed to take the impact of rocks without shattering. Other Portland stores have used this product, and it offers other benefits than cheaper solutions. “It’s one of the only polycarbonates that doesn’t yellow with direct sun exposure, which is why we chose it,” Philbrook explains. “We have good southern exposure here, and any other polycarbonate will discolor so quickly it’s not worth it.”
Sara Philbrook and the staff at Personal Beast are keeping a positive attitude about the situation and hope that the community’s support will help them restore the store they love. People who can support the storefront improvements should shop there on April 12th and 13th, purchase a raffle ticket, or contribute to the GoFundMe campaign. Personal Beast’s infamous shop cat would appreciate any help fixing the windows so they can get back to guarding Stark Street.
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