A well-known bakery in Washington, D.C., has experienced a shocking incident of vandalism that has left its staff rattled but thankfully unharmed. Georgetown Cupcake, owned by Sophie LaMontagne and her sister Katherine Berman, was targeted on Sunday, May 17, when a man threw a beer keg through the establishment’s prominent window.
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The incident, which occurred at approximately 11 p.m., was captured on surveillance footage that LaMontagne later shared on the bakery’s Instagram account. The video shows a man approaching the window, lifting the keg, and forcefully hurling it through the glass, which shattered spectacularly. The impact of the keg not only damaged the window but also caused items within the bakery to be jolted from their places.
LaMontagne, who has operated the bakery for 18 years, expressed her distress over the occurrence, noting that it was unlike anything she had encountered in the business’s long history. “This is heavy glass,” she explained, reflecting on the significant danger posed to her staff. “We are just so thankful that nobody was hurt in this incident.”
At the time of the vandalism, one of the bakery’s bakers was present and described feeling a considerable amount of fear during the event. The owner recounted how the employee immediately contacted them after the keg was thrown. “She was terrified when it happened,” LaMontagne said, indicating that the terrifying nature of the event had deeply impacted her staff.
According to LaMontagne, the vandalism appeared to be a deliberate act. She noted that the man seemed to be watching the window for some time before committing the act. This unnerving detail has compounded the distress felt by the team at Georgetown Cupcake. “It’s just very unnerving and shocking as a business owner, and our staff is very shaken up,” she stated.
Working closely with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, LaMontagne hopes to identify the culprit responsible for the destruction. The bakery has received substantial community support, with many neighbours contributing surveillance footage that may assist in the investigation. “Our neighbours have been phenomenal offering up their video footage,” she noted appreciatively.
Comments on the bakery’s social media post reveal the public’s outrage and support for the establishment. Many patrons expressed disbelief that someone would target a bakery renowned for its delicious cupcakes. One comment read, “Who would want to harm a CUPCAKE shop? Seriously.” Another supporter wrote, “Oh, this hurts my heart for you and your incredible staff… Justice will be served!”
While LaMontagne recognised the seriousness of the vandalism, she maintains that her priority is the safety and well-being of her employees. “All I care about as an owner is that everyone’s safe and no one’s hurt,” she said. Despite the challenges of dealing with the damage, the team swiftly boarded up the window, allowing them to reopen for business the following day.
As they address the consequences of this disturbing event, LaMontagne expressed admiration for her team’s resilience. “We have a strong spirit here at Georgetown Cupcake,” she remarked, highlighting the determination of her staff to continue operations amidst the chaos. However, she acknowledged that the disruption comes at a busy time for the bakery, as the upcoming Memorial Day weekend typically sees an influx of customers.
“It’s unfortunate, but I think we have no choice but to try to make do and keep going forward,” LaMontagne concluded. Despite the heartbreaking incident, the enduring spirit of Georgetown Cupcake remains intact as the bakery navigates this challenging period.