Local

Charlotte protests take toll on business owners

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Days after protests turned violent in the streets of uptown Charlotte, some storefronts still remain boarded up.

"I can understand people being frustrated, but to take it out on a small-business owner or any business in the area really serves no purpose. It wasn't a positive message," said Rey Robles, who works in uptown.

The protests forced the Epicentre to close early all weekend and kept customers from visiting many businesses, including the salon where Natalie Tynan and Elisha Andrews work.

"It absolutely is a ripple effect. I don't think people realize that the rioting and the violence and all the stuff affects everything. Our salon, restaurants, hotels, everything uptown," Tynan told Channel 9.

The number of hotel reservations that were canceled isn’t yet available, but it is estimated to be in thousands because two big events postponed coming to the city; one of which would have brought 1,600 people.

"It hurts in room revenues, it hurts in collecting occupancy taxes and retail sales taxes. It hurts restaurants," said Sid Smith, executive director of the Charlotte Area Hotel Association.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested some of the protesters who are accused of vandalizing businesses, including Ian Bowzer, who authorities say was caught on camera shattering doors at Hyatt House.

The general manager of the hotel estimates that it lost out on at least $120,000 from cancellations in the days after the protests.

But the protests and vandalism didn’t keep a Charlotte couple from having their wedding Saturday at Hyatt House.

Jenelle Davis and Deatric Smith even took pictures with National Guardsmen amid the protests. They told Channel 9 that love always prevails.