Image: Google Maps / Kerfuffle Creations owner Sarah Preson is expressing dismay after a second incident of theft at her downtown Hope retail store in two months. A man stole an axe from her business in February, and just last week, a woman allegedly stole a $44.95 retail item on Friday, April 7, prompting frustration from Preson.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Kerfuffle Creations in Hope

Hope business owner expresses frustration over retail thefts

Apr 11, 2023 | 2:48 PM

HOPE — Kerfuffle Creations owner Sarah Preson has done everything humanly possible to protect her store in downtown Hope from theft by way of six security cameras, an alarm system, and security gates.

Her store, located at 332 Wallace Street, sells fantasy gifts, knives, metaphysical items, and creations from Canadian artists. It bills itself as “a lot of fun in a little store,” according to its Facebook page. It is located across from the District of Hope municipal building in a walkable, pedestrian-friendly section of downtown Hope.

But after the second incident of theft from her business in two months, Preson is expressing dismay at the state of crime in the city of under 7,000 people.

A man stole a Predator 2 axe from her store in broad daylight in early February. This past week, Preson posted on Facebook that a woman stole a $44.95 dragon journal from her store on Friday, April 7. The alleged theft was captured on more than one surveillance camera in her store.

Image: Kerfuffle Creations / The alleged shoplifter is caught on camera on Friday, April 7 taking a $44.95 dragon journal from Kerfuffle Creations.

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“Crime is up in Hope with no way to combat it,” said Preson. “This is the second time in only two months. Video and pictures and yet there is nothing police or business owners can do. We had an axe stolen in broad daylight in front of our employee.”

Image: Kerfuffle Creations / Kerfuffle Creations owner Sarah Preson said this axe was stolen from her store in broad daylight in February.

RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk confirmed Tuesday morning (Apr. 11) that police are aware of the retail theft at Kerfuffle Creations and says the incident is under investigation.

Preson says retail theft costs small business owners in different ways.

“To claim insurance forces insurance costs up,” Preson said. “A tax write-off is nothing. We are out of stock and cash for the items. It is not fair, but what can we do? (This is) the reason small businesses close and have high prices. We are just under two years old. We are not making a profit yet. I’m not making a paycheck yet.”