NoDa Bodega was already losing business over the coronavirus. Then came a break-in.
It was 4 a.m. Friday when Lisa Moore, one of the owners of NoDa Bodega, was finished talking to the police.
Three hours earlier, the deli’s alarm had awoken Moore and her husband and co-owner, Bryan Moore. The home-made sandwich and soup store had been broken into again — the fourth time in three years.
Now the store was missing a secure front door. Four hours until the business opened, Moore decided the only solution was to sleep on the couch in the bodega while her husband and children slept at home.
“I made it as comfy as I could,” she said. “I learned we have stray cats on the patio.”
It wasn’t a restful night. Moore said the ice machine would rattle every 20 minutes which scared her awake every time.
Moore said police told her that break-ins are typical for the neighborhood. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police’s crime mapping platform, there have been five burglaries and four thefts this month within a mile of NoDa Bodega.
Moore said the police was able to arrest one of three suspects. CMPD said on Friday, police arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy.
The break-in was more of an annoying inconvenience more than anything, she said. The robbers took petty cash — less than $100 — but the door, window and cash drawer will still have to be replaced, she said.
What is more stressful, Moore said, is the lost business and revenue from the new coronavirus pandemic.
Across the nation and in Charlotte, small businesses have taken a hit as measures have been taken to prevent the virus’ spread. Most recently, Gov. Roy Cooper has banned mass gatherings of more than 100. Mecklenburg County has taken a step further and prohibited those with more than 50 people.
Last Tuesday, Cooper ordered bars and restaurants to close except for take out and delivery. In Charlotte, over 147,000 people work in the hospitality and leisure industry, including restaurants and hotels.
That makes up more than 11% of the region’s total employment, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
At NoDa Bodega, Moore said sales have been down “marginally.” However, the store has lost “every bit” of the catering business and would normally expect this time of the year to be the busiest month.
During a typical March — when people are starting go outside more and more — Moore said the store would normally be making $10,000 to $15,000 more.
“We’re not going to be seeing that,” she said.
