WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A local flower store was burglarized Friday night, just days before Valentine’s Day, according to police.
Valley Flower Co. is one of two stores on Gates Street that have been targeted within the last week, Interim Hartford Police Chief Braedon Vail wrote in an email Saturday, though police don’t know whether the thefts are connected. Vail said both investigations are ongoing.
Morgan Perrone, Valley Flower Co.’s owner, said she arrived at the store Saturday morning to find the glass broken out in both the front door and back door, and the cash register with $500 missing.
Perrone said this is the first time someone has broken into her store, which has been at its Gates Street location since 2005. She said this time of year, with Valentine’s Day coming up, is one of her busiest seasons, and whoever broke in likely thought they would find a lot of money.
“Stealing from a small business during a pandemic is pretty (awful),” Perrone said.
Still, Perrone said she’s trying to remain upbeat, adding that community members have been very supportive.
The theft follows a similar incident earlier in the week at Gear Again, which sits just next to Valley Flower Co. on Gates Street. The owner of Gear Again, Bridget Cushman, said she arrived at the store Thursday morning to find someone had broken a glass in her front door and stolen a drawer full of cash.
Cushman said she was upset at first, and closed the store for the day. But she said she realizes “everyone is in a difficult position.”
“I just have to imagine it’s not their proudest moment,” she said.
Anna Merriman can be reached at amerriman@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.