Burglars could put a Drysdale shop out of business after its insurer refused further cover following a ram-raid, according to the owner.
Surf Junction’s Naomi Patten said one more burglary could force her out of business.
The store lost $50,000 from the latest two break-ins in March, Ms Patten said.
The 2016 ram-raid was the tipping point for the insurer to cancel its cover, she said.
“I’m one major burglary away from closing up, I reckon.
“I don’t understand why people think they have the right to steal from someone who’s just trying to make a living and supports the community.
“I’ve got the latest in CCTV and just recently I’ve put lighting out the front but it doesn’t seem to deter anyone.
“People must see it happening but they turn a blind eye these days because they don’t want to get involved. I don’t blame them, to be honest.”
Ms Patten said burglaries had costs beyond lost stock, such as paying for clean-ups and the replacement of broken doors and glass.
Shoplifting in the store had also escalated recently, she said.
“They might take some socks and it might only be a little bit, but it all adds up.
“I have people who will come in with old thongs on, grab a new pair and put them on, and hang the old ones back up and walk out.
“You’d be surprised how much it all adds up.”
Ms Patten, a life-long Drysdale resident who has operated Surf Junction for 10 years, said she sponsored local football, netball and cricket clubs along with other organisations.
Drysdale’s netball courts were named after her store when she became a major sponsor.
