My Account
It was at 3.30am on Sunday, October 28, when Sandra Shaw got a phone call from Matrix Security that she never wanted to get. Her business, Wellsford Sports & Leisure, had been the target of a ram raid, the first such break-in during her 23 years at the shop.
The raiders smashed through the shop’s front doors, reversed out and randomly grabbed items worth no more than $4000. By the time they drove off, they’d caused damage to stock, fixtures and fittings of up to $50,000 and put Sandra out of business for weeks.
“I would have thought they’d gone for the knives, ammunition, fishing gear or money,” Sandra said. “But they took mostly children’s stuff – swim shorts, onesies – plus socks, work shorts, tracksuit pants, Ridgeline fleeces, Kia Kaha clothing. And a skateboard and sunglasses.”
With fragments of shattered glass sprayed throughout the shop, Sandra had choice but to clear everything and shut up shop until insurance claims and refurbishment could be sorted.
“I’m annoyed more than anything,” she said. “Leading up to Christmas is a really busy time, I should be ordering like crazy for Christmas, and for January and February, as well. That’s also really good for me, with all the tourists and travellers coming through. Until the insurers give me the go ahead, I haven’t been able to order anything or open.”
It’s hugely frustrating for Sandra, as demand for her shoes, clothes and sporting goods continues unabated. Every 10 minutes or so, there’s a knock on the temporary wooden door of the shop as another potential customer wants to know how she is and when she’ll be back in business. She said the Wellsford community response had been overwhelming.
“It seemed like the whole community wanted to help,” she said. “We would like to sincerely thank all those that we had to ask for help, they all did it without hesitation, and all our friends, family and the general community who helped or offered, and the schools and clubs that sent flowers. It is all very humbling!”
Sandra expressed particular gratitude to Wellsford Glass, Steve Edwards Builders, Stu Oldfield Electrical, Wellsford Police and Insite Security. She hopes, all being well, that she will be able to reopen by December 1.
