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NoDa business owners say they are victims of growing shoplifting trend

By Briana Harper
By Briana Harper

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Small business owners in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood say there’s a growing shoplifting trend in the area.

"It can be anything from jewelry to books to clothing,” said Teresa Hernandez, owner of Pura Vida Worldly Art.

Hernandez shared surveillance video with Channel 9 that shows a shopper grabbing an item from the rack and sticking it in her bag.

She was filled with emotions as she rewatched the video.

[Man points gun at employees while trying to shoplift from Macy's at Northlake Mall]

"First sadness; two anger at how smug and content she looked stealing from me,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said that each month, she tracks thousands of dollars' worth of stolen merchandise from her store, including many specialty items from across the world.

[Man accused of shoplifting runs over customer outside Gastonia Dollar Tree]

"All these pieces you see are handmade,” Hernandez said. “All these artisans have spent (time) and energy making these pieces, and they're not easy to replace."

Pura Vida Worldly isn’t the only business in NoDa that has been targeted by thieves.

Laura Mathers, store manager of Bartique, said they have also had shoplifters.

"It's like stealing from the livelihood. People put their heart and soul into this, and it's like a punch in the gut,” Mathers said.

Mathers said she is being more proactive by ramping up security measures.

"Everything is tagged with a security tag, so if they walk out the door, it will beep,” Mathers said.

The NoDa business owners say they hope to always catch the suspected thieves and also teach them a lesson.

"Teach your kids it's not OK to steal,” Hernandez said. “Also, if you're out with a friend who is stealing, call them out on it."

There have been 12 larcenies and an armed robbery within a half mile of NoDa within the past four weeks.

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