NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — East Park Donuts & Coffee has been burglarized three times in a week, and police are investigating.
On May 23, a burglar got into their building by busting through the glass. Then days later, there was a smash-and-grab again.
Customer Brandon Puttbrese feels bad for the mom-and-pop shop.
“There are so many challenges that small business owners face, it seems like adding insult to injury,” Puttbrese said.
Then on May 30, they were hit again early in the morning when they were closed.
“This is just a small business that is trying to bring some coffee and joy into people’s days, and it’s a real frustration and pain for the customers, and the workers that someone would take advantage of that,” Puttbrese said.
Owner Ken Woodard said it's going to cost him around $6,000 to fix.
"It’s not a sustainable business model," Woodard said.
He’s in good spirits, but it hurts their bottom line. "It can’t keep happening because people lose jobs," Woodard said, “It’s not a big heist.”
The burglar went for the cash register. “The juice isn’t worth the squeeze for the criminals,” Puttbrese said.
Police are investigating if it's the same person responsible for the burglaries.
“Supposedly they’re zeroing in on somebody, but I don’t know how long that takes,” Woodard said.
If you have information, call Metro Police.
There are still so many families in East Tennessee hurting following the floods from Hurricane Helene in September. That made this year's running of the Santa Train extra special for many families in the northeast part of the state. This special Santa Express has been making an annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years.
-Lelan Statom
