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Some business owners in Rio Linda are growing increasingly frustrated after persistent vandalism at their shops in recent months. According to the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce, at least five had windows broken just over the holiday weekend.“This costs small businesses thousands of dollars to replace and it affects them giving to the community,” said Chamber President Wendy Stirnaman Tuesday.The window outside of Famous Pizza in the Rio Linda Shopping Center is boarded up – again. “There’s always been a problem, but to be honest, this past year it got worse. It got way worse,” said the owner, who only wished to go by Matt. He said he’s poured his life savings into running the pizza shop, but with at least four broken windows in six months, it’s becoming more and more difficult to stay open. “This is my life. I’m not rich,” he said. “I worked really, really hard to even start this. You know what I mean? This is my livelihood.”According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have responded to the shop four times in the last six months for reports of broken windows. Most recently on Sunday, a spokesperson said.Owners of other businesses nearby also shared their concerns with KCRA 3 about Sunday’s vandalism.Stirnaman, a small business owner herself, said she’s also heard similar concerns from small business owners in the area.“All of us kind of band together, do the best we can,” she said. “If we can all just focus on trying to make it better, come out, support them. I know it’s hard times for everybody to spend money, but if you did it in our community, it would go a long way.”Stirnaman said it’s small businesses that support free community events, like the upcoming Rio Linda Country Faire later this month, and local sports teams.“We don’t have taxpayer money,” she said. “We do it out of the kindness of our hearts.”Stirnaman said the Chamber is working on expanding and increasing its funding to further support struggling small businesses. “Chamber doesn’t have a whole lot of funds, so we can’t help businesses actually replace things,” she said. “(But we can) support them and get people out there. We’re growing our chamber and doing the best we can.”Matt said he is too and wants his Famous Pizza location to succeed and to be a place for local families. He’s brought in games, offers family rates on meals and is committed to doing what he can to make it a safe and fun space for the community. He hosts a pizza and game night on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.He thanked his landlord, employees and regular customers for their support as he navigates the challenges with broken windows.“Thank you,” he said. “I couldn’t do this without them.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
RIO LINDA, Calif. —
Some business owners in Rio Linda are growing increasingly frustrated after persistent vandalism at their shops in recent months. According to the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce, at least five had windows broken just over the holiday weekend.
“This costs small businesses thousands of dollars to replace and it affects them giving to the community,” said Chamber President Wendy Stirnaman Tuesday.
The window outside of Famous Pizza in the Rio Linda Shopping Center is boarded up – again.
“There’s always been a problem, but to be honest, this past year it got worse. It got way worse,” said the owner, who only wished to go by Matt.
He said he’s poured his life savings into running the pizza shop, but with at least four broken windows in six months, it’s becoming more and more difficult to stay open.
“This is my life. I’m not rich,” he said. “I worked really, really hard to even start this. You know what I mean? This is my livelihood.”
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have responded to the shop four times in the last six months for reports of broken windows. Most recently on Sunday, a spokesperson said.
Owners of other businesses nearby also shared their concerns with KCRA 3 about Sunday’s vandalism.
Stirnaman, a small business owner herself, said she’s also heard similar concerns from small business owners in the area.
“All of us kind of band together, do the best we can,” she said. “If we can all just focus on trying to make it better, come out, support them. I know it’s hard times for everybody to spend money, but if you did it in our community, it would go a long way.”
Stirnaman said it’s small businesses that support free community events, like the upcoming Rio Linda Country Faire later this month, and local sports teams.
“We don’t have taxpayer money,” she said. “We do it out of the kindness of our hearts.”
Stirnaman said the Chamber is working on expanding and increasing its funding to further support struggling small businesses.
“Chamber doesn’t have a whole lot of funds, so we can’t help businesses actually replace things,” she said. “(But we can) support them and get people out there. We’re growing our chamber and doing the best we can.”
Matt said he is too and wants his Famous Pizza location to succeed and to be a place for local families. He’s brought in games, offers family rates on meals and is committed to doing what he can to make it a safe and fun space for the community.
He hosts a pizza and game night on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
He thanked his landlord, employees and regular customers for their support as he navigates the challenges with broken windows.
“Thank you,” he said. “I couldn’t do this without them.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
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