Barrie business owner fed up over repeated break-ins since opening
A small business owner in Barrie is fed up after his establishment has been the target of crime multiple times since opening in 2019.
Francesco Petrusa, owner of Limoncello Bistro in the city's downtown, says he's frustrated and disheartened by the sixth and most recent break-in, which could cost him $10,000 in repairs.
"They took everything that was in here. Our bar inventory, our tablets, our POS system, our meats, seafood, everything that was in here was just wiped out," says Petrusa.
Compounding the issue, Petrusa says the insurance repercussions loom large.
"Our insurance told us basically that if we put in a claim, our premiums would either go sky high or we'd be dropped as a customer because downtown Barrie now is so high risk," he explains.
Limoncello Bistro on Maple Avenue in Barrie, Ont., was broken into multiple times. (CTV News/Catalina Gillies)
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
During the latest break-in, Petrusa says the bandits smashed windows, ripped the door off its hinges and stole half their patio furniture.
"When I moved here, I never envisioned this happening. It wasn't this bad," he says.
Petrusa points to the rising homelessness and opioid crisis as having impacted his business.
"This past nine to 10 months has been terrible. We've lost, I would say, our sales are down almost 50 per cent. That's crazy. We can't keep going this way," he says.
Petrusa says he's filed the police reports, contacted the city, and spoken with other business owners in the neighbourhood who are dealing with similar issues.
However, police told CTV News there hasn't been an influx of break-ins in the downtown area, adding only two reports have been filed.
"We need the people in charge to do something about it. We can only say so much," Petrusa adds.
As a father of five, he hopes for change to protect his livelihood.
"People have told us, 'Get out of here, move locations. Go to the south end.' But why should we have to pick up and leave our area, our business? Because criminals are destroying it for us?" he concludes.
The Italian bistro is open and operating despite Petrusa not being able to finish the repairs at the latest break-in due to the cost.
He says his repeated attempts to speak with the Barrie BIA have gone unanswered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Five weeks stand between MPs and the BBQ circuit, here's what the Liberals want to pass first
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Q&A: Kevin Costner on unveiling his western saga 'Horizon' at Cannes
A month before Kevin Costner puts the first instalment of his multi-chapter western 'Horizon: An American Saga' into theatres, the actor-director came to the Cannes Film Festival to unveil his self-financed passion project.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.