Ferguson Dellwood Rebuilding Fund

We are a family owned and operated business that have been in North County, Ferguson and Dellwood area since 1973. Our business has always been a striving company that believes in giving back and helping those whom need repairs at a fair cost.

We have made a huge investment and put everything on the line to build this store and to remain a reputable company in North County. We are part of numerous programs that offer training classes for underprivelaged children and for the MERS company. They place individuals with us and we work to train them on the everyday business activities to learn a skilled trade  and help make the community better. 

We are a business that believes in giving someone a second chance and believes that there is good in everyone. We offer employment oppertunities to all. We do not judge on the basis of race, religion or color. Lately though we have been emotionally strung out and now suffering a Huge financial burden.

In light of the recent extreme distruction and devastation that our city and our business have endured we are stopping to ask our selves, Is it really worth rebuilding and staying in this community? After so many years of strong support from our customers and friends we find our self now at such a financial loss since August of 2014.

Since August our business has dropped to record lows of business and we have been forced to reduce our staff by almost 50% so far this year just to minimize our losses. In the past 15 years of business we have never experience such a drop in business and a fear that this is only the begining. The riots and looting that took place on that scary Monday night have cost our business over $36,000 just in repairs. They busted out our show room windows, Lit fires in our office trash cans, Threw gas cans at our building in an attempt to burn it to the ground. Also they flipped our display car over and destroyed the car lift and the manequins that were on display. The display we had up was a bold statement againt drinking and driving and the affects of not wearing a safety belt. They ripped our security cameras out and destroyed our holiday decorations and landscaping.

Now we have a building that is tombed up with plywood and has the eary sense of defeat in the air. With many of  the buildings around us burnt down including 3 auto parts stores that supply us with parts to the gas station they were finally going to reopen next door. It is a very sad depressing time and very hard to go to work each day and be concerned not only for our safety but also if we will even have any customers come back....

To be blunt the things that were destroyed were done by groups that did no care about the cause yet seized this opertunity to destroy things that we all work so hard to build.

We tried to be a solid example in the community by not boarding up our windows and simply putting our faith in the community and the promises made to us by the Governor. That hope and the prayers came unanswered as the looters had their way with our city and burned over 28 business' and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property and lives.

We know this city can rebuild but it will take some time. The problem with the time is it maybe too long for us to hold on with such a loss of business and good employees. We are asking for your help to get us through this timely process and help offset the cost and loss of business we have suffered.

We are a family business that wants to make this work and have always been a large supporter of the community and many, many charity groups and now we come to humble our selves and ask for your help. Please call me if you have any questions and thank you so much for your time, your prayers and your consideration of our family, community and business.

http://www.mrctv.org/videos/ferguson-business-owners-talk-looting

St. Louis businesses struggle during protests: http://on.msnbc.com/1pOnWnP

www.completeab.com

here is one of our recent interviews.


Respectfully,

Kurtis Barks