GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Candied Yam, a southern food hotspot that opened their second location on Division Avenue this summer, was vandalized overnight.
The restaurant posted to Facebook that the act was "random."
Staff discovered the building was damaged before 2:30 a.m. Saturday thanks to community members who spotted and reported the situation. Two doors and six windows were broken.
The Grand Rapids Police Department used security cameras to arrest the suspect within 30 minutes of their report, the post says.
"We intend to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," staff wrote.
SERVPRO, a damage restoration company, came out around 2:30 a.m. to clean up the shattered glass and secure the building.
At the time of the post, 7:10 a.m., crews were still working to fix the damage. That didn't stop the Candied Yam from opening as scheduled, at 11:30 a.m.
"We ask that you please keep The Candied Yam, the community and the perpetrator in your thoughts and prayers. We all need them," staff said.
The Candied Yam has been open on 44th Street SE for seven years. They offer hearty from-scratch meals, as well as employment opportunities for the most vulnerable.
They expanded to a second location with help from a $2.1 million investment from the Muller family, who own Ben Muller Realty Co., back in June.
Owner Jessica Ann Tyson was asked to take over the "eyesore" that's plagued 932 Division Avenue with broken windows, gang signs and graffiti for 12 years by the family, Tyson said.
RELATED: Blighted Division Avenue building getting a new purpose — the Candied Yam's second location
"I wouldn't say we picked it, but it picked us," said Tyson in a previous 13 ON YOUR SIDE interview. "I made this commitment and invested because 932 is a highly visible and accessible place where the community, stakeholders, senior citizens and families can gather and make lovely memories."
The 7,274-square-foot building was originally built in 1931 as The Sanitary Grocery & Fruit Market. It was most recently The Half Moon in 1997 before it was shuttered. Now it's used as a second Candied Yam restaurant, banquet and event space.
"We are fortunate to be a part of the community, and we hope to be good neighbors," she said in June. "We're hoping that that will play a lot of attraction for other people, there's a lot right next door to us, and I'm sure sooner or later, that's going to be taken just like that."
Robert S. Womack, a community leader, asked residents to support the local business after the vandalism.
"After an African American woman, has made a major investment into the 3rd Ward all her windows were knocked out and vandalized all around the building with cylinder blocks," he wrote on Facebook. "If we want others to invest in the 3rd ward we must stand together and show the world that we support our 3rd ward businesses and that crime and vandalism will not be tolerated in our community."