Months after his Van Nuys jewelry repair shop was looted dry, Larry Contreras still hasn’t recovered or reopened. And he may not do either.Contreras owns Don Larry Watch & Jewelry, a modest store along Hamlin Street in the Van Nuys Bazaar swap meet. The densely packed retail row became a target for looters and vandals exploiting the peaceful crowds at police brutality protests that erupted in June after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25.Contreras’ shop is one of dozens of retailers in Van Nuys struggling to recover after suffering theft and damage nearly three months ago. For him and others, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic squeeze have complicated efforts to rebuild and reopen – underscoring the unique challenges faced by the victims of the vandals.Read the full story in the August 31 issue of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Preview: Collateral Damages
