A Business & Life Savings Destroyed by Looters
Donation protected
I am writing here on behalf of my 77-year-old aunt to ask family members, friends, and the community to help her reopen her business which was destroyed by looters. This store is her only source of income to support herself. The store was supposed to fund her retirement.
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, my aunt’s beauty supply store, Charming Beauty, on 79th Street in the South Side of Chicago, was burglarized and looted. The looters pried open steel shutters to break all the windows and showcases, stealing and destroying nearly all the beauty supplies and general merchandise. Already under financial strain due to the COVID-19 lockdown and funeral expenses for her late husband who passed in March, my aunt has no financial means to reopen her store at this time.
My aunt, Mrs. YJ Lim, and her son have been an integral part of the South Side Chicago business community for over 21 years, serving her customers 362 days a year. As the nation lashes out at the unjust death of George Floyd and countless other African Americans recently, she stands in solidarity with the South Side Chicago community and communities of color across the country. We see, hear, and empathize with the grief and frustration of African Americans who have faced racism and have lost their loved ones to police violence.
While the complete destruction of her store pales in comparison to the important fight for justice, it is heartbreaking to see the irrecoverable damage to my aunt’s business and only livelihood. As an immigrant from Korea who made America her home country for 48 years, my aunt took much pride in her business and in serving the South Side community.
We know there are many in need of help currently. But we humbly ask for your support for this special woman.
Thank you so much!
Mitchell Kim
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, my aunt’s beauty supply store, Charming Beauty, on 79th Street in the South Side of Chicago, was burglarized and looted. The looters pried open steel shutters to break all the windows and showcases, stealing and destroying nearly all the beauty supplies and general merchandise. Already under financial strain due to the COVID-19 lockdown and funeral expenses for her late husband who passed in March, my aunt has no financial means to reopen her store at this time.
My aunt, Mrs. YJ Lim, and her son have been an integral part of the South Side Chicago business community for over 21 years, serving her customers 362 days a year. As the nation lashes out at the unjust death of George Floyd and countless other African Americans recently, she stands in solidarity with the South Side Chicago community and communities of color across the country. We see, hear, and empathize with the grief and frustration of African Americans who have faced racism and have lost their loved ones to police violence.
While the complete destruction of her store pales in comparison to the important fight for justice, it is heartbreaking to see the irrecoverable damage to my aunt’s business and only livelihood. As an immigrant from Korea who made America her home country for 48 years, my aunt took much pride in her business and in serving the South Side community.
We know there are many in need of help currently. But we humbly ask for your support for this special woman.
Thank you so much!
Mitchell Kim
Organizer and beneficiary
Mitchell Min Ki Kim
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Yong Ja Kim-Lim
Beneficiary
