Help Vanessa's Bistro Recover from Recent Break-Ins

September 6th will mark 18 years on Solano Avenue. Our community has shown us so much love and support throughout the years. I have found my second family while establishing my career with my mom, Vanessa. I've grown close to a lot of my regulars, watched their kids grow up right before my eyes! I'm sure all of you have watched me grow up as well. I was 27 years old when I opened the restaurant with my mom! Vanessa's has been home for so many amazing memories. I absolutely loved my career.

These last 4+ years have not been kind to us, or small businesses in general. I'm not sure if everyone knows but during the pandemic we've had our propane tanks and heat lamps stolen, our front door kicked in and as of recent 4 more break-ins within 10 months of each other. October 2023 two guys tried to break in through the kitchen door. They couldn't get in so at the end of the week they came back and broke into my office. They got in but didn't take anything. We ended up replacing 2 screen doors and I never filed a claim. March 2024 one person climbed in through the vent above the front door. Stole 3k in alcohol and wine - I had just received an order for the week, he also got away with my 2 leaf blowers and 4 extra batteries, the keyboard to my security camera, my iPad and DoorDash tablet. When I tried filing a claim with my insurance they told me that they plan on dropping me in September because this will be my third claim in three years. Monday the restaurant was broken into yet again. I finally installed an alarm system after 17 years in March, so he wasn't able to take off with anything, but I had to pay $700 for a brand new glass door. Thank you Berkeley PD for responding to the alarm within 10 minutes, they didn't find the thief. I soon learned that 8 businesses in Berkeley were hit in one night.

This is unacceptable. It's unfair to small businesses like mine to take the hit every time. I'm already hanging on by a thread. I am asking my community for help, something I don't do. I have run out of solutions to keep the Bistro running smoothly.