Simply Romance was the target of a crime for the third time in
six months, and the succession of incidents has owner Hank Provost
struggling to keep his doors open.
Simply Romance was the target of a crime for the third time in six months, and the succession of incidents has owner Hank Provost struggling to keep his doors open.
Just after 11 p.m. Thursday, an unknown person or persons shattered the First Street erotic novelty store’s glass door and stole the cash drawer, a gold necklace, leather wrist bands and a new tobacco pipe Provost had left behind, police said. The damage and stolen items totaled more than $850, police said. The next morning, an employee at First Street Coffee across the parking lot noticed the mess and called Provost.
The act of vandalism and theft is the latest incident to strike the store. In April 2007, someone squirted charcoal lighter fluid underneath his third to last glass door and set fire to his store, ruining the door, damaging the carpet and burning racks of lingerie. Then, in March of this year, two men jumped Provost while he was closing up shop, and two months ago, someone through a rock through a storefront window. Police have not reportedly arrested anyone in connection with any of these crimes.
“It’s just one things after another. I don’t want to be picked on anymore,” Provost said.
Despite his bad luck, the unassuming, bearded man stood outside his store – and new door – Tuesday with a fresh pipe. Inside, a customer browsed racks of lingerie, ambling about the purple plush carpet that had been covered in glass shards just days before.
Police were unable to recover finger prints from the plastic printer, monitor and key board the burglars knocked over on their way to the cash drawer, and Provost said he didn’t expect authorities to find the robbers. As the store’s lone employee, he said he doesn’t have anyone to suspect, and he said the damage is less than his insurance deductible, so there’s no chance he’s feigning the crime for money.
“The one time I leave cash in my drawer, this happens,” Provost said. “I’m just devastated. I’m struggling as a small business owner to stay in business, but things just keep happening.”
The attacks also come after a period of personal turmoil. Provost and his wife split three years ago. Then the financial crisis struck, and he lost the home he had lived in for more than 20 years with his two sons. It was a bittersweet separation, however, because the house contained massive amounts of mold underneath the foundation that the family only discovered a few years ago after decades of mysterious colds and rashes. He and his two sons, who still live in town, continue to cope with illnesses from the dankness, and Provost spent two of the last three years recovering in bed.
Nonetheless, Provost remained as vigilant as he had when he fought against the City Council to open his store in 1997. Provost claimed he does not have any enemies and has no reason to fear future attacks or leave town.
“This is my home. I’m not leaving,” he said. “If anything, I’m more determined to stick around.”
