NEW ORLEANS — Security footage shows someone smashing the front windows of three neighboring businesses on Magazine Street early Saturday morning.
“It’s unnerving,” said Deborah Schumacher, who owns Slim Goodies Diner. “Really, it seems to be a very random act.”
The video, taken from outside the restaurant, shows someone walking by with what looks like a crowbar. They try the front door and find it locked. Then they swing the object in their hand into the front door and windows multiple times.
Schumacher said the suspect does not appear to have entered the restaurant, making the crime all the more confusing. Two neighboring clothing shops, Hemline and NOLA Couture, also have fractured spots on their windows.
Despite the vandalism, Slim Goodies Diner opened at its normal time of 7 a.m. Saturday. Schumacher said she worked through the night to clean the glass up and board the broken glass door.
“You don't have the option anymore of, you know, ‘I'm going to close because my doors are broken.’”
She estimates replacing the tempered door and windows will cost between $5,000-$7,000. “We've had a really tough economic summer. I think all of the businesses in New Orleans have really suffered this last year” said Schumacher.
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