Bridgid Blackburn has set aside time every Tuesday for the past six months to paint over the graffiti tags on her store’s walls. Not only that, she’s regularly had to deal with broken windows, dispose of piles of trash at her storefront and keep a constant eye out for shoplifters.
Blackburn said stress has replaced the joy of running her Central Eastside store, Cargo, which is known for selling imported goods of all kinds. Incidents like rampant theft, dirty sidewalks and confrontations with unruly visitors are the reason.