Faced with crime, downtown Victoria business asks: ‘Is it worth it?’

After more than a half a century, one of downtown Victoria’s most durable businesses is wondering if it’s worth staying.

“You’re walking on pins and needles because we don’t know what we’re coming into each morning,” says Tara Savrtka, a co-owner of Baggins Shoes on Lower Johnson Street. Baggins has been operating downtown since 1969.

“Broken glass, used needles, human excrement… You pull extra money out for payroll to have [at least] two people working even in slow periods so they can feel safe,” Savrtka said.

“The lease is up in a year and a half and you have to wonder, is it still worth it?”

Three neighbouring businesses on Lower Johnson had their front windows smashed this past week — a trail of broken glass that also included Earl’s Restaurant and the Garrick’s Head Pub on Government Street — in what Victoria police describe as random acts of vandalism.