GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The community is rallying around The Candied Yam in Grand Rapids after it was vandalized early Saturday morning.
"The community has just been amazing," said Owner Jessica Ann Tyson. "They're calling, asking if they can help clean up, what they can do, making sure we're taken care of, lots of prayers, lots of good wishes."
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 restaurant said on its Facebook page.
Tyson said they're pressing charges on the suspect on Monday.
"We intend to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," staff wrote on Facebook.
SERVPRO, a damage restoration company, came out around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to clean up the shattered glass and secure the building and stayed until work was finished around 9 a.m.
The Candied Yam opened like normal on Saturday and will remain open for business as usual.
Tyson said she's talking with their insurance company on Monday to start the repair process. She also said a company will be coming out to measure the windows.
"No one prepares for this kind of trauma to their business and every hour we look up there's another business owner inside of our community that's there (to help)," Tyson said.
Having the support of other business owners in the community has meant a lot to Tyson, who said their kindness is helping her employees feel comfortable again.
She said some of her employees were scared to come in after the incident, but are feeling safer thanks to the help from others.
"Just to have their support that way is really nice," Tyson said.
The Candied Yam posted on Facebook and said many have reached out to them asking how they can help. For those interested in donating to the restaurant, they posted a QR code for their Cash App.
Despite the difficulties that come with rebuilding, Tyson said the support around her is making it more manageable.
"It's bittersweet," she said.
