NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WKBW) — The Little Bakery in Niagara Falls is hurting.
"It sickens me," Jason Conte of The Little Bakery said. "We do everything we can to support the community and this is how we get repaid."
"Why target us," owner Samantha Bassett asked. "What did we do to deserve that?"
Someone broke into the shop on 19th street between Sunday night and Monday morning. Equipment was ruined, a small safe was ripped out of the wall, and a security camera captured the whole thing.
"They broke the bars off our back window," Conte said. "That's where they entered and that's where they exited too."
Shop owners and staff spent most of Monday morning picking up the pieces. But hours later, they were back in the kitchen.
"Just because of one person, I'm not gonna stop for all the good people and all the people that rely on us," Conte said.
Because this little shop still has a big heart.
"That person that may not have ate last night, they're looking forward to having a meal today," Bassett said. "We can't take that from them."
It's why The Little Bakery held a free lunch giveaway, an event planned before the break-in happened. Before noon, there was a line of people waiting to eat and show their support.
"They're always helping people, feeding people, donating things, it's almost like they broke into a family member's house," Niagara Falls resident Jessica Webster said. "So I think for us to come out and support them when they support us, is probably the best thing we can do right now."
Monetary donations dropped off left and right. A GoFundMe page already surpassed $26,000 as of 5 p.m. Monday. The shop says the generosity is overwhelming because after going through the bad, they're witnessing so much good.
"We're the ones who are usually giving and donating, and I don't like to be the taker, but it feels good that they're backing us just like we would back them," Bassett said.
"I can't believe the support we have," Conte added. "It's heartwarming."
The Niagara Falls Police is investigating the break-in. They ask anyone with information to contact their general number at 716-286-4711 or the detective bureau at 716-286-4553.
