[Changing City]

@MIPS

Here's an interesting one the CBC posted. Seems these problems aren't just in the big city.

Kamloops restaurant forced to close due to vandalism in neighbourhood

Cynthia Li co-owned a fairly successful restaurant in Kamloops, B.C., for about seven years, but it has been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And though she wanted to reopen Sunmei Fusion Cuisine and Bubble Tea restaurant on 413 Tranquille Road when restrictions were lifted earlier this year, she said she ultimately decided not to because of continuing vandalism and street crimes in Kamloops' North Shore neighbourhood.

"This happened and happened again, and it's just very discouraging [for us] to continue," Li told CBC's Jenifer Norwell in front of her shuttered restaurant.

"It's at the front of the restaurant right now — some leftover food, and there's a table and umbrella. There [are] chairs and a lot of clothes," she said. "Just a mess. A lot of garbage."

Derelict buildings in Kamloops shopping district frustrate business association
Li said she believes people seeking help from The Loop Community Resource Centre next door, who are living with homelessness, are behind the vandalism and loitering, which have been issues troubling other businesses in the North Shore.

She said she appreciates The Loop for its work but wishes it didn't disrupt her business.

"It's a good thing that they help the homeless people, but I guess [they] need to be organized," she said.

"Maybe the city can do something to help the homeless people," she added. "They need a place to stay ... instead of staying at the front of our restaurant or our business."