GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Major road construction is still underway in Grand Rapids this summer. One business near the intersection of Fuller and Michigan, where construction has been ongoing, was vandalized early Thursday morning.
Afendoulis Cleaners & Tuxedos store co-owner and general manager, Becky Afendoulis, said they were alerted of the vandalism around three o’clock in the morning and they're just glad no one was hurt.
"These aren't people that were looking for money. They weren't looking to steal any equipment. They were just out there doing property damage," said Afendoulis.
Around 3 a.m., police responded to Afendoulis Cleaners & Tuxedos after they got a report from a passerby that a group of vandals damaged the front door entry. Becky Afendoulis said the front door is a part of the store's original storefront, which is over 40 years old.
"So they took a 24-hour drop box that we have in the front of our store so that our customers can drop clothes off easily any time of the day. They lifted it up and they threw it through our front glass door and broke the entire door," said Afendoulis. They also did some damage on the corner to another business, as well as made their way to the city equipment that is currently being used to do the sanitary sewer repairs, and they turned off a vital pump," said Afendoulis.
A city official said the vandalism will not delay construction in that intersection which is still expected to last until August 2. Business was a bit slower Thursday as Afendoulis and her employees assessed the damage. She still doesn't know who the vandals were, but she said she's hopeful for better days.
"Thankfully, we have two entrances, so now we're just going to have to publicize that for about two weeks, this front door will be out of commission until we get it repaired,” said Afendoulis.
