Community Rallies Around North Center Businesses
The North Center neighborhood in Chicago has come together to support two local businesses that were targeted in overnight break-ins. The scarecrows outside Mission Possible resale shop could not scare off a burglar, who smashed the door and attempted to steal from the register.
The Break-Ins
“I got an alert from my phone at home from my security company and it said motion was detected so they called the police,” owner Janet Cullen said. Cullen says it was just before midnight Sunday. When she and police arrived, her door was smashed. Surveillance video shows a man in a light-colored ball cap going straight for the register, but he left with nothing. It appears he may have headed several blocks down North Lincoln Ave to Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming.
Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming Also Targeted
Jackie Jockell has been working her magic at Zulu since 2007. “I got a call from CPD at 12:30 at night,” she said. Jockell also woke up to the news of a break-in. Her surveillance video shows a man in a similar light-colored ball cap digging through her register. “It’s very disappointing. Normally this neighborhood is very safe, and we just don’t expect that’s going to be happening here,” Jockell said.
Community Support
Though the burglar left Mission Possible empty-handed, the $1,200 in damage to the door was enough to cause real financial strain on the new business that hasn’t yet turned a profit. But Cullen says she quickly found light in the dark. A customer offered to pay for the repairs. “It would have set us back, but it did not,” Cullen said. “September was a slow month for us, so we were behind on the rent. Someone else offered to pay so it caught us up with that.” Business in the days since has boomed at the shop, which will donate some of its future profits to its mission: trauma-informed, faith-based counseling.
Outpouring of Support
CHICAGO (WGN) — The scarecrows outside Mission Possible resale shop in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood could not scare off a burglar.
“I got an alert from my phone at home from my security company and it said motion was detected so they called the police,” owner Janet Cullen said.
Cullen says it was just before midnight Sunday. When she and police arrived, her door was smashed.
“I’m a person of faith so in the moment I said either I can have a pity party, or I can be grateful, so I tried to think of things I was grateful for, including they didn’t ransack the store, we didn’t have any money in the store,” Cullen said.
Surveillance video shows a man in a light-colored ball cap going straight for the register, but he left with nothing. It appears he may have headed several blocks down North Lincoln Ave to Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming.
Jackie Jockell has been working her magic at Zulu since 2007.
“I got a call from CPD at 12:30 at night,” she said.
Jockell also woke up to the news of a break-in. Her surveillance video shows a man in a similar light-colored ball cap digging through her register.
“It’s very disappointing. Normally this neighborhood is very safe, and we just don’t expect that’s going to be happening here,” Jockell said.
Though the burglar left Mission Possible empty-handed, the $1,200 in damage to the door was enough to cause real financial strain on the new business that hasn’t yet turned a profit.
But Cullen says she quickly found light in the dark. A customer offered to pay for the repairs.
“It would have set us back, but it did not,” Cullen said. “September was a slow month for us, so we were behind on the rent. Someone else offered to pay so it caught us up with that.”
Business in the days since has boomed at the shop, which will donate some of its future profits to its mission: trauma-informed, faith-based counseling.
“We were already at a deficit so to have people step up, it just encourages me to keep going,” Cullen said.
Chicago police say no one is in custody for either break-in. If detectives connect the incidents, they will issue a community alert.
Conclusion
The community has come together to support Mission Possible and Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming after the break-ins. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, with customers offering to pay for repairs and rent. The businesses are grateful for the community’s support and are determined to continue serving the neighborhood.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Mission Possible and Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming?
A: Both businesses were targeted in overnight break-ins, with the burglar smashing the door at Mission Possible and attempting to steal from the register at both businesses.
Q: Was anything stolen?
A: No, the burglar left both businesses empty-handed.
Q: How has the community responded?
A: The community has come together to support the businesses, with customers offering to pay for repairs and rent.
Q: What will happen to the businesses?
A: Both businesses will continue to operate and serve the community, with Mission Possible donating some of its future profits to its mission: trauma-informed, faith-based counseling.
Q: Is anyone in custody for the break-ins?
A: No, Chicago police say no one is in custody for either break-in, but if detectives connect the incidents, they will issue a community alert.
