The owners of Bentley’s Cocktail Lounge, a newly opened business in Martinez, are determined to overcome a significant setback following a burglary and vandalism incident. Bentley’s had its grand opening on Friday, but was broken into and vandalized by Sunday morning, causing extensive damage and loss of supplies, valued at over $20,000.
The owners, Krystal Enesley and her partner Malena Clegg, were on a high after their grand opening. They had a line of people showing up in support and were looking forward to the journey ahead. However, less than 48 hours later, their excitement was replaced by shock and disbelief as they discovered the damage to their establishment.
Security camera footage captured 40 minutes of a man causing havoc at Bentley’s Cocktail Lounge and the attached indoor market, ‘Market and Main’. “He took down umbrellas, stole plants, threw plants everywhere. Stole our menus that were bolted on the table,” said Enesley. The burglar also cut their waterline, Ethernet cable, and surveillance cameras.
Despite the setback, they managed to open later than planned on Sunday, but the incident caused them to lose half of their business for the day. Enesley and Clegg have filed a police report and started a GoFundMe to replace everything they lost.
The incident throws light on the challenges small businesses face, and underscores the importance of security measures to safeguard their establishments. As the owners set about repairing their business, their resilience serves as a reminder of the spirit of entrepreneurship and the commitment needed to overcome unexpected obstacles.