Boston City Council is considering a new vandalism remediation fund for the city’s small businesses.
Many shops and restaurants in the city are facing costs after windows are broken and buildings are graffitied.
Fornax Bakery in Roslindale recently dealt with a situation in which a woman accidentally kicked out the front window, leaving the owner to pay for new glass.
“We have to look around to see where we can find the money to fix the windows,” said Oscar Bonilla, owner of Fornax Bakery.
Just down the street, the owner of Effie’s Kitchen saw a man break through the window after seeing a familiar customer sitting at a table inside.
“There were big pieces of glass everywhere. She was cut a little bit,” co-owner George Anastasiadis said. “She jumped nearly 50 feet in the air and he started running.”
Ward 5 City Councilman Enrique Pepen said those stories sparked the idea for a restoration fund that would provide about $50,000 to mom-and-pop businesses affected by vandalism.
“The people who need it, the business owners we know, who run great businesses and contribute greatly to their communities, may not have $5,000 on hand to fix a window. No,” Pepen said.
Typically, this proposal takes time to get through City Hall, but with budget season in full swing, Peppen believes this could become a reality soon.
“I think a small amount like this grant could be fixed anywhere in the city budget,” he said.
This is welcome news for business owners who believe they have a lifeline protected against the unexpected.
“It would be nice to have some kind of fund. I think that’s a good idea,” Bonilla said.
The relief funds have been transferred to a committee and must hold public hearings before being returned to the full Congress.
