Neighbors have helped raise thousands of dollars to help support a Capitol Hill convenience store recover from repeated damaging break-ins.
A fundraiser for Summit Foods is close to its $10,000 goal thanks to the generosity of its customers and nearby residents of the Summit Ave shop that provides daily necessities on the western slope of Capitol Hill but has been targeted in smash and grab burglaries that have hobbled the business.
“Summit Foods Mart is a small, Korean immigrant-owned convenience store; it is run by Mr. Jong Chul Kim with help from his family and has been in business for 20 years,” the fundraiser organized by the store’s neighbors reads. “In the humdrum of our technological society so atomized into overnight deliveries, Mr. Jong and his family’s store is one of the few remaining spaces that merge convenience with warmth.”
The support for Summit Foods echoes an effort to help another Capitol Hill cornershop owner. A fundraiser helped raise thousands after J’s Quick Stop owner was beaten in a brutal shoplifting attack at the Bellevue Ave store. That suspect was charged with first-degree robbery and J’s Quick Stop has been sold to new owners, CHS reported.
CHS reported here in November on the latest Summit Foods burglary in which Seattle Police said multiple 911 callers reported the burglary underway just before 5 AM on Friday, November 8th when a grey pickup truck was reported ramming the entrance to the business. Police say the market’s alarms were also sounding as the suspects sped away westbound in the vehicle as the break-in was interrupted.
The store was left with extensive damages and expensive repairs.
You can join the support here.
$5 A MONTH TO HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE THIS SPRING
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We need to help these folks. It’s a great little store and an even more amazing family.
So awful. These folks have been nothing but kind, wonderful neighbors in the 15 years I have lived in this neighborhood. I know it mentioned that this is the second break-in attempt in two years but didn’t mention that it’s the second time an asshole drove their car through their store. The first time was some shit bird trying to steal their ATM.
I’m thankful that so many have come together to support this area business. They alway seem to have a few of what you need last minute, you can make a quick batch of salsa or quac, get a potato to bake in a pinch, they wave and smile when you walk past, and are a kind and caring family. I hope they don’t give up on us and the neighborhood.
..and they were the last spot that l could find Clorox bleach gel. Forever in my heart on that one item.
Great to see the community come together to help these guys. Infuriating that we have to. Too many criminals out roaming around criming it up. “But insurance will cover it” says the crime enablers. No it won’t. And businesses should not need to bear the brunt of your crime coddling crap.
100% agree with you!
Sorry to hear that. It’s a great corner store!
Just curious: Wouldn’t Mr. Jong (or his landlord) have business insurance to cover the cost of the repairs?
I’m sure they do but this is the second time someone has crashed their car through their store within the last two years. From chatting with them, it seems they are trying to get a more secure facade with a metal gate in place to prevent this from happening again.
Can we get bars on these windows asap? Some bollards?