XPost: stl.general, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, talk.politics.guns   
   XPost: sac.politics   
   From: lincoln@failed   
      
   ST. LOUIS — Business is booming at UKRAFT. So much so that owner Matt Ratz   
   said their restaurant is moving to a bigger space within Peabody Plaza in   
   downtown St. Louis.   
      
   It's expanding from 2,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet.   
      
   "We are getting ready to expand into a brand-new location hopefully next   
   week," Ratz said. "Very excited, we love the big windows."   
      
   A feature he loves now needs a fix. Plywood stands in place of shattered   
   glass.   
      
   Their window, along with multiple others in the building, was hit by gunfire   
   on Fourth of July. 5 On Your Side counted at least nine windows broken at   
   Peabody Plaza. On Friday following the Fourth of July, there were bullet   
   holes in the windows.   
      
   Seven people were shot that night, with more than 300 teens taking over   
   downtown following the fireworks. Ratz wants more police presence,   
   especially around the holidays with big events.   
      
   Ratz points to the Fourth of July chaos last year.   
      
   "Inexcusable, it's to the point we need action. We got all this talk and no   
   action behind it. We had events a year ago that were very similar," Ratz   
   said.   
      
   Before even opening up their doors, Ratz already picks up the pieces.   
      
   "It can be up to a few thousand dollars, that's just monetary. There is   
   perception that hurts more. We're in this fight right now to get people to   
   come downtown to eat with us. They see this, why would they?" Ratz pointed   
   out.   
      
   Long-time bar owner Kevin Liese with Jack Patrick's also cares about the   
   crime.   
      
   "We finally got past the pandemic, and then, we have a whole new set of   
   problems with crime, it's out of control," Liese added.   
      
   He knows the impact of what it can do.   
      
   "I love being close to hockey and baseball, Battlehawks, concerts, that   
   stuff is fun but every time we have an event, we can't have a meltdown   
   afterwards or it affects business," Liese shared.   
      
   Both business owners are invested.   
      
   Liese has stuck by the neighborhood's side for 25 years.   
      
   "I love the neighborhood, I love the bar, it’s a family bar. It's near and   
   dear to my heart for sure," Liese shared. "I re-signed a lease for a couple   
   of years, I am really torn right now."   
      
   Ratz signed a 10-year lease. He's determined to see a thriving downtown.   
      
   "We still have faith in downtown. I'm not going to let one incident ruin   
   what we started and what we are going to become," Ratz said.   
      
   Want to solve the black problem?   
      
   Get rid of them.   
      
   https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/st-louis-business-owners-react-to-   
   recent-downtown-violence/63-e5e60017-5334-47a3-84cf-08affe1c3505   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)