NEW YORK - Roman Kusayev, the owner of Roman K Salon, has built up his small business over the last several years and now has three locations.
On Monday morning, the Roman K Salon in TriBeCa was targeted by looters.
Kusayev said that he was awoken around 2 a.m. after an alarm at the salon went off.
When he checked the security camera, he saw about a half dozen people running in and out of the store with everything from the salon’s computers to hair products.
“I never thought they were going to hit mom and pop shops like this. I’ve spoken to all my neighbors. My friends barbershop got hit last night as well I mean it’s just making a mess,” Kusayev said.
For Kusayev, the loss is heartbreaking and demoralizing. He said he was getting ready to reopen the business after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This loss coupled with the looting has put him in a tough financial spot.
A lot of insurances don’t cover against riots or COVID-19. We’re still talking to our insurance companies now and they are confused themselves so we’re taking it one day at a time,” Kusayev said.
He boarded up the damage on Monday afternoon and cleaned the broken glass left behind.
About five blocks away from the salon is Schott NYC, a leather goods retailer and fourth generation family business.
Their store on Elizabeth Street in NoLita remains unscathed but their neighbors have also been targeted by looters and vandals.
The owner isn’t taking any chances at his store.
“We just boarded up our store yesterday for the first time because things just seem to be so out of control right now,” said Jason Schott, the owner of Schott NYC.
The company also removed valuables and all their inventory from the property.
Beyond those steps, Jason Schott is taking time to look at the bigger picture.
He hopes that his more than 100 year old business will weather its current hardships like it has in the past, including the Great Depression.
He said he’s worried about something else much more than the business.
“I have to say I’m less concerned about the property than I am about the people and the future of the city,” said Schott.
Kusayev and Schott both said they were hopeful that the 8 p.m. curfew will do something to curtail all the looting.