The notification came around 1 in the morning on Jan. 17. Electronic security cameras at St. Petersburg’s ARTpool Gallery showed a man with a longboard outside and a smashed display window.
Hours later, owner Marina Williams posted to Facebook: “We are really stressed with the cost to cover this unnecessary repair and are just beside ourselves with sadness. As a small mom and pop shop just reopening after being closed for some time we have been on a super tight budget as new parents and are just devastated that someone in our city would do this.”
ARTpool, at 2030 Central Avenue, is a popular destination for vintage and handmade items that include clothing, jewelry, vinyl recordings, and comic books. In recent months, COVID-19 protocols meant limited hours of operation and by-appointment bookings.
The display window featured what Williams called “whimsical costumes, mid century styling and lots of pride flags.”
The cost to replace it exceeded $1,000. Williams said ARTpool’s insurance policy has a high deductible amount. She and her husband, co-owner Evan Williams, turned to their supporters on social media, asking that they purchase gift certificates or “magical mystery jewelry boxes” through the store’s website, helping to defray the expenses.
Marina Williams said an Instagram follower of the gallery supplied an image of a man whose longboard matches the custom design seen in the security video. As of deadline, that was the only lead, and no arrest had been made.
“We are thankful for the love and support from our local community,” Williams said in an email. “Our block has actually become safer in the past 10 years that we have had our shop on Central. We were surprised to say the least about the vandalism, as we feel the neighborhood has been improving greatly with the downtown renaissance.”
For information, to donate or place an order, visit www.artpool.com; the gallery’s email address is [email protected]; telephone (727) 324-3878.
