A pizza shop owner in Oakland, California, said she’s considering shutting down her East Bay business after it was hit by thieves four times this year, according to a report.
Cybelle’s Pizza owner Elizabeth Sanchez said Friday’s break-in where employees fought off a group of robbers with hammers and a recycling bin is pushing the owner to close down the location, according to local ABC affiliate KGO-TV.
She said robberies have occurred almost weekly since 2024 began.
“[The thieves] tried to steal the register. … My employees were very, very brave. … I told them don’t do that … but they had to defend themselves,” Ms. Sanchez told the station.
The constant crime at the pizzeria has made it hard to hire employees, Ms. Sanchez said.
She added that she and her husband typically work seven days a week to fill in gaps.
“Sales are down because nobody wants to come out; they’re scared for their safety,” Ms. Sanchez told the station. “We’ve seen a drop in sales and we’re worse than during the pandemic.”
Mayor Sheng Tao’s office told KGO that it’s working with police to bring more patrols to the area.
The pizzeria’s potential closure would mark another business loss for Oakland.
Last month, In-N-Out Burger announced it was closing its only location in the city due to rampant crime. It’s the first time the popular West Coast food chain will have closed a store it didn’t intend to relocate.
Ms. Sanchez said most businesses in the Bay Area city are struggling due to the crime.
“All of the business owners need help. In-N-Out, Denny’s, those are big chains, but what about us, small business? Where are we at? For me, as an immigrant, this was the American dream. But now, where is it?”
If it were to close, Cybelle’s Pizza’s only location would be in San Francisco.