by Mary Spiller
September 2, 2025
‘During the last two years, we’ve had about 5 tried break-ins. A type of occasions they really obtained into the restaurant.’
A vegan restaurant in Southwest Atlanta is combating to maintain the doorways open attributable to mounting monetary pressure attributable to crime.
Life Bistro, situated within the Sylvan Hills neighborhood and owned by Issa Prescott, has endured 5 tried break-ins over the previous two years, Prescott stated. The crimes have resulted in stolen gear, money, and injury costing greater than $5,000 in repairs.
“Each single time they break the glass, that’s $1,000,” he stated. “Not solely do you need to change the glass, however then you need to change the locks on the doorways.”
Safety footage from July reveals thieves throwing rocks via glass doorways and forcing their means into the constructing. Objects stolen over time embrace money, iPads, point-of-sale programs, and even an worker’s sneakers. Prescott stated that regardless of making the restaurant cashless to discourage theft, criminals haven’t stopped.
Prescott advised Channel 2 Motion Information that these bills have pushed the enterprise to the brink of closing. But, he stays steadfast about staying put.
“We’ve had feedback on Instagram, ‘Why don’t you progress to a special neighborhood?’ and we’re not going wherever,” Prescott stated. “This can be a meals desert. We’re the one wholesome consuming possibility round right here, and that was one among our visions once we opened—to offer more healthy decisions the place there weren’t any.”
To assist offset safety bills, Prescott has launched a fundraiser to pay for protecting gates and different enhancements. “We’re right here to make a distinction and provide a protected and wholesome meals possibility for individuals on this neighborhood,” he stated.
He added, “We make use of over 15 employees who help their households on the salaries they make from the restaurant. We function on very skinny margins and easily wouldn’t have the funds to cowl this main expense. No matter you can provide to assist is way appreciated.”
Atlanta police say native companies can request additional patrols to fight crime within the space, however for Prescott, neighborhood help will be the key to protecting Life Bistro alive.
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