LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The owner of a shopping institution in Louisville's Portland neighborhood said she closed her doors this week because her employees are not safe at work.
Surveillance video from inside Crystal's Bargain Outlet shows three men attempting to overpower the front door.
Desiree Hunt, the store's manager, said she called police after two men attacked an employee on Saturday.
Surveillance footage from Crystal's Bargain Outlet shows three men attempting to overpower the front door. The store's owner has since closed the business because her employees are not safe at work.
“The police were called multiple times” said Hunt.
She said the attackers ran before the cops arrived. But they came back at closing a few hours later with reinforcements and almost got inside.
“We try to take care of our own,” said employee Evie Tilley.
The attack rattled the staff. While they have had some petty thefts, they hadn't had any violent instances. The decision to lock the doors came Sunday morning in a text message from the owner.
“I cannot confirm whether we will be open or whether we are shut down permanently,” Hunt said.
The doors are closed tight for now, and not to the liking of regular customers. Hunt and Tilley are fixtures in the area. Tilley lives just right down the street, and both depend on the store for their income.
But it is more than a job, as many of the customers have become friends. Customers driving by the store on Tuesday were anxious for answers. Both Tilley and Hunt said their phones have been blowing up with calls and text messages.
“So it is going to be a matter of Portland residents keeping an eye out on each other and on us,” said Tilley.
A permanent closure remains up in the air. Tilley said an announcement will be posted on the store's Facebook page.
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