TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Last week, a local family owned business, The Patio Shop, suffered a major loss when a late night break-in resulted in over $20,000 worth of damage.
Now community members and nearby businesses have banded together to help the local shop.
"We're just people. That's the amazing thing," said Tallahassee resident Paula Zenick. "People who just want to help each other because we see a need and we're will to do something about a problem."
Earlier this week, the shop posted an event on their Facebook page and reached out to the community for help cleaning and repairing their store. Dozens of people cleaned rubble, replaced statues, and swept debris to support the local business in their time of need.
"Regardless of who did it or who's responsible for it. The fact that we have energy and a willingness to help each other that's the amazing thing," said Zenick.
Within just a short hour, volunteers have helped clean up most of the debris at The Patio Shop. Store managers say they're overwhelmed with the support of the community.
"More people then I could ever imagine," said Doug Walker, The Patio Shop Owner. "Everyone has been wonderful and what should of taken me weeks has taken a few hours here it's amazing."
Volunteers also helped build a new nine foot chain-link fence around the store to help increase security.
The Patio Shop people were asked to sign a memory board in order for the store to recognize their service.
"This is the true Tallahassee right here, you know. This the people who help everybody else," said Walker. "It's what we do for everybody when we can and this is what everybody needs to know about Tallahassee. Everybody tries to help each other this is wonderful."
Local business, Gaines Street Pies, provided over 20 boxes of free pizza to volunteers at the event Sunday. Owners say it's the least they can do and we are all in this together.
