ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The city of Rochester says it will help pay for the damage after someone smashed a window at a northeast Rochester restaurant. Earlier this week, Spectrum News reported the dispute between the owner of El Pilon Criollo and the city over an order to remove protective plywood from the restaurant windows — and a threat of fines if it didn’t happen.
Zury Brown’s phone rang at 6 a.m. Friday. The news wasn’t good.
“It’s sad to see this happen,” said Brown, who owns El Pilon. “It’s disappointing, because you work hard.”
Around 2:30 a.m. Friday, someone smashed a window of her restaurant. An employee first noticed the damage. It happened just one day after Brown removed some of the plywood panels which had been protecting the place — to let some light into the Hispanic restaurant she’s owned for twelve years.
“It was kind of something we knew was going to happen,” she said. “And that’s why we didn’t want to take our boards down.”
Last week, a city of Rochester zoning inspector told Brown the plywood sheets had to come down, or she’d be fined. Hers is not the only Rochester business to board up, following widespread looting in the spring. Dozens of businesses were damaged by looters and some destroyed.
“You feel powerless,” said Brown. “You’re trying to fix this problem. You’re trying to follow the rules, and then this happens.”
That’s the frustrating part, even more frustrating than the $250 Brown says the thief stole from her cash register. There are several video security cameras in her store, and they show the man entering the store, going to the cash register, and taking money before leaving on foot.
“It’s challenging when things like this happen,” said Zulma Irizarry, Brown’s daughter. “But something good will come of it.”
The city of Rochester offered Brown a grant to pay for her broken window.
A city spokesperson issued the following statement:
“The city of Rochester reached out to El Pilon Criollo early this morning to offer grant support to help repair damages and increase security. The grant is offered through the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development. In addition, we are reviewing the situation with our business community, and will be issuing guidance on how our businesses can further enhance security. No fines have been issued nor has any punitive action been taken against this nor any other business for boarding their windows over the past six months. We will continue to work with them collaboratively to secure their employees and properties.”
Brown said she asked the city if she could put up bars or some other protective covering on the restaurant windows, but was denied. She’s hopeful they can find common ground. Until then, the boards — will stay.
“They will go up again,” she said. “And we’re going to be in the dark again, until we find a solution.”
