Clothing store in Portage la Prairie is closing their doors due to theft and violence

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A Portage la Prairie clothing store will close up shop for good next year due to theft, violence and a lack of accountability for thieves and criminals. According to the owner, this is the number one reason they are going out of business.

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“Retail theft was the biggest factor, one hundred percent,” Ajay Aggarwal said on Monday.

Aggarwal announced last week that Olina Fashions, a retail clothing and footwear store she co-owns with other family members, is going out of business in the new year after selling off their remaining merchandise.

“When there’s no accountability for theft, it doesn’t just hurt businesses, it damages the whole community.”

According to Aggarwal, theft along with unruly and often violent behavior led to a “toxic” environment at the store. Employees were fearful and those operating the store were continuously stressed.

“It’s not just the financial loss that comes with theft, though those are significant,” she said. “It’s the constant stress of having to watch out for it every day, the abuse our staff takes when they try to stop it, and the helplessness of seeing it get worse.

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“When you’re constantly dealing with theft, you’re stuck in survival mode instead of being able to grow.”

Fear of violence and weapons had been steadily growing among those working in the store in recent months, leaving employees in a constant and growing state of anxiety.

“It escalated, not only in frequency, but also in severity with thieves bringing weapons like machetes, knives, and bear spray into the store,” Aggarwal said. “When we try to stop theft, our staff experience verbal and emotional abuse, which makes the environment toxic and unsafe for them and for our paying customers.”

According to Aggarwal, many of the thefts were “organized and strategic,” involving groups with getaway cars, and plans to distract staff while others stole inventory.

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“The planned thefts have caused significant financial losses, and not once have we ever recovered or gotten back any of the stolen goods,” Aggarwal said.

Aggarwal and other members of her family will continue to run their other businesses, Olina Development and Leasing Corporation, Olina Cannabis, Olina Jewellery, and the Taste of Spice restaurant and bar in Portage la Prairie. The nature of those businesses do not lead to the same levels of theft and theft-related issues, she related.

The family is disappointed to close their fashion business, however, which Aggarwal said grew to be one of Manitoba’s largest independent retailers of urban streetwear, footwear, dresses, and accessories.

“As business owners, we have a responsibility to run things in a way that works for everyone, our team, our customers, and ourselves. When the environment no longer allows for that, you have to make the tough call to step away,” she said.

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Aggarwal and other members of her family are aware of where they are placing the blame for these theft issues, and how prevalent the problem has become.

“This is on the Canadian justice system and our current laws. Right now, there’s no real deterrent for theft. If someone gets caught, nothing meaningful happens. That sends the message that stealing is basically risk free,” she said.

“We need laws that enforce accountability and consequences, while also offering pathways for rehabilitation and positive change.”

In an email sent to the Winnipeg Sun earlier this year, an RCMP spokesperson said RCMP will respond to theft calls, but admitted theft is a crime where it can often be difficult to arrest and prosecute suspects.

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“Officers respond and investigate when a call of this nature is received,” the spokesperson said. “In many cases the theft occurs quickly and when officers arrive the suspect has already fled the area. Patrols are made, however in many cases it is hard to obtain a good description of the suspect, as they tend to cover their faces etc.

“It should also be noted that when we do make an arrest, if the charges are solely property crime offences, the accused is usually released with an upcoming court date.”

Aggarwal now fears that if changes are not made, Manitoba businesses will continue to be robbed and workers won’t feel safe, and more will end up shutting their doors.

“These businesses can’t keep up with the rising cost of theft, nor can they afford security to protect what they’ve worked so hard to build,” she said. “The systems and people enabling this problem need to realize that businesses won’t survive much longer in this climate.

“We need leaders with the strength and courage to address this head-on.”

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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