Minneapolis – Hardware stores are taking advantage of winter's return, and a family-run store in south Minneapolis says this year shoplifters and copper thieves are doing anything but business as usual.
With meteorologists reporting cold temperatures and snow, this was expected to be a good day for sales at Welna Hardware.
“We have to put all our time and energy into solving crime problems instead of preparing for a snowstorm and shovels and salts and snowblowers and things like that, which is also very depressing,” said Mark Wilna, owner of Wilna Hardware in south Minneapolis.
Mark Wilna spent the day talking to police about the copper theft and the financial impact it could have on his business.
“As you can see, it's broken here and it's broken there, probably about two feet of copper pipe that's probably worth less than a dollar in a junkyard, and it's probably going to cost four to five thousand dollars to replace next spring.” Woe to us, he said.
Welna Hardware has been a staple in the Phillips neighborhood for more than seven decades, but in recent years Mark has seen the community change.
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His business is located two blocks from the newest homeless encampment to pop up in south Minneapolis. Mark won't say officials live in the camp, but he says addiction takes money out of his family's pocket.
“There is definitely an addiction problem going on and we have to address it one way or another,” Wilna said.
Mark believes drug-fueled crime is causing many businesses to leave south Minneapolis.
“I know Kaufman Roofing in Seward is moving to Apple Valley, and I just talked to them, they're moving to St. Louis Park,” Wilna said.
“Because we are not talking about the real root of the problem, which is addiction,” Marin Hardy said.
Hardy owns Soul Care Services and agrees with Mark.
“Until the city and county address the fact that this is an addiction problem, it's going to continue to arise,” Hardy said.
But until action is taken on addiction, companies must deal with the crime that accompanies it.
“My son Sam said we're not going to let this make us leave the neighborhood after 70 years,” Wilna said. “We are committed to staying here.”
Police intensified their patrols in the Phillips neighborhood. They have not made any arrests so far.
