A new Longmont vape store was robbed the day before it opened.
Brad Helmandollar, co-owner of Stix Smoke and Vape, said the day before his new business’ grand opening, someone broke the window of his shop and stole some items.
Police spokesperson Robin Ericson said officers were dispatched at about 6:22 a.m. Friday to the business at 2130 Main Street, where they found a broken window.
Helmandollar was able to provide video surveillance of two masked people breaking the front window, entering the business, quickly grabbing items and then fleeing the scene. Ericson said the value of the estimated stolen items totaled $540.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Helmandollar said of the incident. “They could have stolen a lot more of the expensive stuff than they did. (My business partner and I) are also the type of people, we’re not victims. Stuff like that happens and all you can do is take it on the chin and move on.”
Anyone with information leading to those responsible are asked to call the Longmont Public Safety Tip Line at 303-774-3700 or 303-651-8555 and reference Longmont police report 23-1095.
The incident did not stop Stix from opening Saturday, as Helmandollar was able to replace the window that same day. Despite the setback, the first few days of business have been steady.
“We’re just wanting to step out and explore our own self and figure out what we can offer the community and how we can grow from there,” Helmandollar said.
