PORTLAND, Ore. — Several small businesses in Southeast Portland's Montavilla neighborhood are struggling amid several acts of vandalism. Most are dealing with broken windows which owners said isn’t a new problem — but it's one that’s getting worse.
“I don't know how many more we can sustain,” said Tabitha Donaghue, executive director of The Arc Portland Metro Thrift Boutique at Southeast 83rd and Stark. “It hurts and we're struggling.”
Last week, Donaghue said a person threw a heavy object through The Arc’s storefront window, shattering it. She said it was the fourth time in 2024 that someone had broken one of their windows. In this latest case, security video showed the person reaching into the store, grabbing a pair of jeans and leaving.
“For them, that's free jeans,” said Donaghue. “For us, that's a $1,500 pair of jeans because that's how much it costs to fix the window.”
The Arc is not the only Montavilla neighborhood store dealing with broken windows. Late last week, someone broke out a window at Stark’s Vacuums but didn't steal anything. In late March, someone broke a window at Personal Beast Pet Supplies. Nearly their entire storefront is now covered in plywood after someone broke three windows and a door between January and March.
“It's hard, we don't want to turn into the neighborhood that has bars in the front of its windows,” said Kavi, a manager at Personal Beast. "We want to make sure that people still feel welcome.”
It's unclear whether the same person is responsible for the vandalism and break-ins, or if different people are involved. KGW reached out to Portland Police for additional information on the most recent cases and is waiting for a response. Kavi said she believes the person responsible for breaking the windows may be struggling with mental health.
“There's some compassion when it first starts out and then after a while it's a little like, why?” said Kavi. “But you know, not a lot of animosity, that's for sure. A little understanding and a little, ‘How can we help you help us?’”
Kavi said the community is definitely helping. The store is holding a fundraiser with donated raffle baskets to help pay for the damage. She's touched by the support they're getting. So is Tabitha Donaghue at The Arc.
“We're a small local nonprofit with a small local support base," said Donaghue. "So every little bit helps and every little bit hurts.”