DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit coffee shop considered a community hub is hoping police can catch the people responsible for thousands of dollars in damage caused by their failed burglary attempt.
CCTV footage shared by Morningside Cafe on East Warren shows the two suspects smashing the window around 5am on December 27 by repeatedly throwing a piece of concrete block.
“When I came here Friday morning and saw the destruction of our property, it was devastating,” said owner Jeffrey Lewis II.
Detroit police are looking for the suspects involved and are investigating the incident as vandalism and attempted burglary.
“They were deliberately trying to antagonize us, so I absolutely want the police to arrest both individuals and make them pay for what they did,” Lewis said.
Lewis says he recognized one of the boys in the video from a previous visit.
“I’ve been looking out for him many times, and when I looked at the footage and saw that this man had actually gone through our doors, and here it is, he’s the one who did this damage. It was very disheartening,” he said . Lewis.
Lewis arrived at his store Friday and says regular customers supported him in deciding whether to close or not.
“Even though I have been let down personally and financially, I have a responsibility to this community, and that is part of my mission, the purpose of Morningside Cafe,” Lewis said.
Those same regulars supported a GoFundMe that ended up adding up to a good chunk of the total cost to repair the window and the damaged sticker. It’s that same community spirit that inspired Lewis to open the business and invest in the neighborhood where he grew up.
“We didn’t have that kind of space in our neighborhood to have conversations and just chat with friends and have a good quality cup of coffee. We had to go to our neighbors in the suburbs in the Grosse Pointes, where there is a Starbucks. or Tim Hortons, or you had to go downtown or downtown, which is cool, but we have a big neighborhood, but Morningside is 19 blocks and I felt like our community deserved to have a space like that,” said Lewis.
The City of Detroit completed the E. Warren Streetscape Project in the fall of 2023, around the time Morningside opened. Since opening just over a year ago, it has become a hub for visitors who have organized meetings, used the free printer or simply need a space to hang out.
“I know the importance of this place and what it means to a lot of people,” Lewis said.
Remembering his purpose is why Lewis says he hasn’t given up on his dream despite adversity. He was shot at earlier this year. Two days before the opening, a fire broke out, destroying all the furniture and murals inside.
“We’re just asking those who want to commit any kind of evil, think about it carefully, especially if you’re serving the community, you’re serving everyone, you’re a pillar of the community. Don’t touch that. Leave that alone.” Lewis said.