Break-in hurts Vancouver restaurant already struggling due to COVID-19
Posted April 13, 2020 2:43 pm.
Last Updated April 13, 2020 8:59 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A recent refugee from Syria, already facing challenges to keep his small business in Vancouver open, is struggling even further amid the COVID-19 pandemic after a break-in at his falafel restaurant.
George Assaf, owner of Manoush’eh on Davie Street, said the robbery of his restaurant on March 30 has left him and his wife struggling to make ends meet.
He arrived at work that morning to see the front window to his business smashed.
They were already experiencing a drop in revenues of 60-70 per cent due to COVID-19 and were just doing deliveries.
Among the items stolen was the computer system used for deliveries, which he said has cut deep into his bottom line.
Despite the challenges, Assaf said he’s not willing to give up on his loyal customers, and the city he adopted after arriving from Syria three years ago.
“That’s why I don’t want to shut down my store in Vancouver, because, again, I’m telling you, I love Vancouver, I love Canada.”
Assaf added he intends to keep the sign above his door up, which reads “baking with love.”
