Crest Tires employees want answers after a customer took off without taking care of their bill.
“You’re locally owned. You don’t have corporate money behind you to bail you out if you don’t have money at the end of the week, end of the month, end of the year to pay taxes,” said Jeni Castillo, Crest Tires manager.
Employees at the at 44th Street and Avenue Q location have surveillance video of the incident. Footage shows the person pulling out of the shop, into a parking space, and then off down 44th Street.
“It’s important for us to always get payment because it’s our livelihood,” said Castillo.
It hurts more than just their business. Castillo said the tire shop also does charity work. They donate to Restoring Hope, feed the homeless once a month and also give homes to rescue dogs.
“When somebody like that comes in and intentionally does that, it’s a snowball effect and then you see a lot of local companies that aren’t around anymore because they can’t make it,” Castillo said.
They posted on Facebook to give the person an opportunity to make it right, but they’ve heard nothing so far. Castillo said some people do not realize the money made in a small business is given to hardworking employees. When that is stolen from the business, it’s stolen from their wallets, too.
“We’ve helped many people, you know, but sometimes you have to draw the line on how you help people because once again you’re a small business, and if we helped everyone, we just wouldn’t be open anymore,” said Castillo.
