Shoppers in Bakersfield, California looted local boutique candle store Candlez yesterday after the store refused to open on Thanksgiving Day
The disgruntled shoppers became enraged the boutique candle shop was closed and expressed their anger by looting the store, leaving only broken glass and empty shelves in their wake. Police say they caused over $100,000 in damage.
The mayhem began at 5 p.m. when other big box stores in the shopping center began opening with their Black Friday sales. Dave and Cindy Ferguson have operated Candlez candle store since 1992 and have worked hard to keep the shop open during tough times.
“The candle business is cyclical and the last few years have been rough but we were turning the corner, now this,” said Dave Ferguson. “Did people really need candles that badly? They couldn’t wait until tomorrow? Since when have twenty something guys love candles so much?
“We aren’t some big box store. It’s a family business and Thanksgiving is a family time.”
Cindy Ferguson said, “We don’t even sell anything cool. Our sale prices tomorrow were going to be huge and yet people couldn’t wait. It’s not like we are selling heroin.”
Best Buy employee Tom Hitchins witnessed the destruction: “It was crazy. First one person started started smashing windows, then a second, then a third. before I knew it, hundreds of people were running around the parking lot with candles over their head like they had just won the lottery.
“I guess candles are the new hot item. Who knew?”
The store’s insurance company is said to have agreed to pay for 35 percent of the damage, leaving the Ferguson family on the hook for a loss of $65,000. “I’m not sure what we are going to do. Sixty-five grand is our past two years of profit.
“The worst part is that some shoppers felt the need to defecate on our register counter. I know some of them waited in line for days to shop but that’s just savagery.”
Scorned Shoppers
While the Ferguson family grieved over their losses, shoppers lacked remorse and criticized the shop hours.
“Why won’t they take my damn money? This is America for Christ's sake,” shouted an angry shopper according to reports. “How dare they don’t sell me candles on Thanksgiving. Thanks for nothing!”
Shopper Ben Queen said, “It’s disrespectful that they weren’t open. We were out here waiting in line and missing our families when they didn’t have the decency to open their doors. I wasn’t even here to buy candles but that’s not the point.
“Do they hate money? Do they hate America?”
The idea of being closed on Thanksgiving Day echoed throughout these shoppers. “This is an American tradition,” shouted one shopper.
Reports of small skirmishes between shoppers were reported across the country.
“Nothing too serious,” said a mall security guard. “The real chaos begins tomorrow.”
