Maple Ridge business owner says vandalism could force closure

An independent retailer in Maple Ridge says she’s on the verge of closing her business for good amid an ongoing cycle of break-ins and vandalism.

Tammy Berezan, owner of Taste of Time Furniture & Home Decor Consignment, says Friday marked the third or fourth time it’s suffered vandalism in recent months.

The Ridge Meadows RCMP says officers discovered a broken window at the store on 119 Avenue around 8 a.m. on June 14.

“Ridge Meadows RCMP recognizes how frustrating these incidents are for businesses and the broader community. While we have not seen a significant increase in business break-and-enters in the Maple Ridge area, we take every incident seriously,” Mounties said in a statement to 1130 NewsRadio.

Berezan says it’s especially challenging because her insurance doesn’t cover broken windows, and she’s been forced to pay out of pocket each time.

“The city cleanup crew was cleaning up the glass, but the one window — my entire store is windows — the one end panel was completely smashed. And there was glass everywhere, and the door was kicked, which has the coating on it, so it didn’t break. But they did not enter… they don’t enter. They just break it for the fun of it,” said Berezan.

Berezan is just one of a handful of business owners in Maple Ridge who have been affected by similar acts of vandalism and theft.

Once Upon A Tea Leaf, a tearoom on 224 Street, has also been targeted multiple times in the recent past.

Taryn Stephenson, co-owner of Once Upon A Tea Leaf, says her shop was broken into and vandalized multiple times in 2023 alone.

One of the incidents, she says, was particularly disturbing, describing how vandals smashed a window and deployed bear spray inside the store.

“We have been in Maple Ridge for 18 years and have only recently experienced a string of vandalism over the past five years,” Stephenson explained.

“Vandalism may not be unique to Maple Ridge, it is also affecting downtown cores and communities all across Canada, and it just adds to the list of things that make doing business as a small, independent retailer harder in Canada,” said Stephenson.

Taste of Time has been in operation for 15 years. Despite the hardships, Berezan she says she wants to keep fighting to keep her business open.

“I would like to see more patrols, more support for small business. And we could use help when stuff like this happens.”

While Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy was not available for an interview, the city issued a statement saying it’s looking into ways to “leverage available support from senior levels of government to strengthen local frontline safety services further.”

“This includes increased patrols by RCMP and the City’s Bylaw Officers, heightened security measures, and access to programs such as Business Watch and education on crime prevention best practices,” said the statement.

For businesses like Taste of Time, the ongoing vandalism is a heartbreaking challenge, and one that leaves Berezan wondering how much longer she can continue operating.