KAPA‘A — The owner of a local gallery said she hopes that a recent burglary of her store might inspire other small business owners to protect themselves before they, too, are targeted. “I (want to) encourage other businesses to secure
KAPA‘A — The owner of a local gallery said she hopes that a recent burglary of her store might inspire other small business owners to protect themselves before they, too, are targeted.
“I (want to) encourage other businesses to secure themselves better and to not allow themselves to be so vulnerable,” said Kathy Cowan, owner of Alley Kat Art.
On the night of June 1 or early June 2, someone broke into Alley Kat Art on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a.
That morning, Cowan found her empty cash box on top of her counter, an unlocked and damaged deadbolt, and a cleaned-out jewelry case. In all, she lost about $10,000 worth of merchandise from the studio gallery.
“It was a sickening feeling in my stomach,” Cowan said. “I just spent the past several months working on new jewelry for the summer. There was a lot of investment that went into it, so financially it was kind of debilitating.”
Since the burglary, she has worked to improve security and is thinking out a new line of jewelry to make up her losses. However, she said materials are expensive.
Karen Keit, an artist who sells jewelry at the gallery, said the burglar stole rings, necklaces and earrings she had created. Her loss totaled $4,250. Keit said the burglary has hurt her livelihood and she will have to rely on her mother to get by.
“I’m not too happy,” Keit said. “What can you do? It’s an invasion.”
A request to the county for information about the burglary was not answered by press time.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@thegardenisland.com.
