Starting a business entails a lot of dedication and hard work. You will face roadblocks and loads of challenges before you launch one. And even when you do, the challenges keep coming to you.
It hurts more if your business has been there for generations. Maybe your parents or grandparents started it, and the times have been hard on it. You tread on and think of ways to still make your business relevant.
But what if the challenge you face in your business is something that got way out of hand? Would you close it or probably leave and start somewhere new? This family in Bay Area made one difficult decision when their business faced a ridiculous predicament they had no control anymore.
From generation to generation
Derek Thoms and his family ran a laundromat business with a few branches in Oakland, California. They owned them for over a generation, and they take pride in the success they had for years.
However, the family was forced to decide that would mean closing their business and moving to another state. It was heartbreaking at first until it became more and more frustrating for them.
Laundromat break-ins
It started in January this year when one of their laundromats was broken into by burglars. They smashed their pick-up track to the glass window so they could steal from the ATM. They were even appalled by the thought that they broke in at 7 in the morning – something others would probably do when the city is asleep.
This happened not only once… not twice… and not even thrice. Their laundromats got broken in twelve times! The family even most more than $20,000 in just a week.
“Within a week, they stole $5,000 of quarters and ruined an $11,000 change machine,” Derek told Inside Edition.
Even with enough evidence captured by their branches’ security cameras, the authorities haven’t done so much to track down these perpetrators.
The last straw
The family was trying to fight to keep their business alive. More than the money they lost, they wanted to seek justice for whoever did this but to no avail.
However, the last straw was when someone went to Derek’s home and tried to steal his truck. Their doorbell camera captured how Derek and his dogs tried to chase the thieves.
He decided enough was enough and asked his entire family if they would want to move to another state. Everyone agreed. So, they packed their bags, closed their business, and left.
Sweet home Alabama
The family moved from Oakland, California, to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Derek’s wife, Skylar, admitted it was a culture shock for them. It was a difficult decision and move, but they were happy to be in their new family home. At least there, they finally found some peace of mind.
Derek and his family plan to open their laundromat business in the area, hoping to start again. They also tried to sell their spaces in California, but there are no takers to date.
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