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6 weeks after east Charlotte market set on fire, owner reopens

An east Charlotte store is back open six weeks after an arson and hate crime that forced it to close temporarily.

Kamal Dhimal, the owner of Central Market, was forced to close the Indian and Nepali grocery store on Albemarle Road for six weeks after a vicious hate crime last month.

Dhimal told Channel 9 about the changes he has made to keep his store and shoppers safe.

“I'm really happy because of support, solidarity,” Dhimal said.

In a surveillance video obtained by Channel 9, someone was seen throwing a rock through the front door and then coming back and throwing something on fire through the window.

Dhimal said the note left behind was the more frightening part.

"We need to get rid of all Muslims, Indians and immigrants and if you don't follow this warning, we are not responsible for the torture starting now," the note said.

“I was really sad at the time. I was really scared,” Dhimal said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested Curtis Flournoy who is facing several charges, including ethnic intimidation and burning the building.

Dhimal has added more security around his business and more surveillance cameras.

Ishori Dhakal, a shopper, hopes the hate crime won't discourage other immigrants from opening shops in the United States.

"Other people coming from other countries, any other country in the world, if they are doing the business, don't be afraid,” Dhakal said.