'We're tired': 116-year-old Seattle business to close shop over encampment safety concerns

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A business in Seattle's SODO neighborhood has survived everything from world wars to the great depression and even multiple pandemics but says it can't continue to stay open anymore due to the homeless crisis downtown.

Thea Sand, the fifth-generation owner of Emmanuel's Rug and Upholstery Cleaners SODO, said she is closing her business and leaving Seattle due to the persistent health and safety issues from nearby encampments.

"We’ve just kind of had it with what’s happening in Seattle with our euphemistically termed by the city council 'unhomed neighbors,'" said Sand.

She described the situation outside her business, saying they've had trucks stolen from their locked lot, and every Monday morning they arrive to graffiti and needles on the ground. She even arrived to a burning mattress in the parking lot one morning.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-re-tired-116-year-old-seattle-business-to-close-shop-over-encampment-safety-concerns/ar-AA174oQp

[canuckledragger]

1. To me it sounds like someone is using the homeless as an excuse...

To offload a business they don't want.

[leftieNanner]

5. I don't think so

Read my post below.

[RKP5637]

8. Read it, thanks, and now agree!!! n/t

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. I don't know

It's pretty bad in that area. We need to do more for the homeless.

[leftieNanner]

4. I don't think so

We live near Seattle and the homeless encampments are very dangerous. One business owner in the industrial area (furniture repair) decided to close up for the same reason. He was a skilled craftsman and very popular/busy. There was a run down homeless person's RV parked on the street in front of his building for months and they expanded onto the sidewalk and started a fire in a barrel immediately adjacent to the building. This furniture business uses highly flammable materials for refinishing etc. He called the fire department. He called the police. He called the city. Nothing was done to protect him.

I would have closed up shop too. These RV "cities" are growing up all over the place.

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. +1

[RKP5637]

7. Thanks!!!

[CentralMass]

9. I live outside of Portland and can't speak for WA but the same things is happening in Portland.

The homelessness is out of control and many of the businesses get broken into on regular basis and their employees are not safe walking from the cars or where they live to work.

Back in December.
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/portland-oregon-passed-a-controversial-homelessness-mitigation-plan-here/636760/

"The city estimates it has nearly 800 unsanctioned encampments and nearly they're in nearly every neighborhood."