NYC business owner struggles to survive amid increase in shoplifting

A Queens business owner is worried about the future of his store due to a rise in shoplifting, which he believes is connected to the recent increase in migrants to the area. Chris Sciacco, who runs Kaiya's Pallets at 36-37 31st St. in Long Island City, reported to The New York Post that his store now faces theft attempts up to six times a week. This is a significant increase from the three thefts that occurred just in the store's first year of operation in 2021.

Kaiya's Pallets is a 4,500-square-foot variety store that sells a variety of products— from diapers to food and even electronics. The store's proximity to 17 migrant shelters has led to an increase in thefts, costing the owner roughly $3,000 monthly.

"It’s not fair that these people can come into my store and steal willy-nilly and nothing gets done about it," Sciacco told The Post. "It’s affecting the business and affecting our overhead. I don’t know if we can continue to survive at this rate."

Sciacco recalled several incidents that have recently occurred at his store of big and small products that have been stolen. Earlier this month, a person stole three bottles of Rogaine worth $50, another stole half of a pack of kids' underwear, and one wheeled out a whole pallet of Gatorade.

Sciacco claimed to have called the New York Police Department (NYPD) six times following the Gatorade theft, waiting over eight hours without any police response. He also stated that he attempted to flag down over 30 police cars on the street, but none stopped to assist.

Over the past year, Sciacco said he has called the NYPD at least a dozen times when spotting thieves in his store. However, he says that no officers have shown up to investigate, nor have they followed up on any of the three theft reports he filed with the 114th Precinct. When reporting a recent theft in person at the precinct, Sciacco alleges an officer suggested he hire security, a solution he says is not financially feasible for his small business.

The ongoing theft issues have forced Sciacco to adapt his business practices. For instance, he now sells men's underwear individually for $1 instead of in bulk packages, hoping to minimize losses from theft. "The only way to combat the theft and the loss of the whole thing is by putting [it] loose and keeping it in eyeshot, hoping people won't steal one [pair] of underwear for $1," he explained.

In response to the persistent shoplifting, Sciacco has initiated a "Wall of Shame," displaying photos of alleged thieves and noting what they stole. So far, the wall featured twelve individuals. Store manager Bobby Valiente commented on the situation, saying, "It just goes to show that, frankly, people don't care anymore." Valiente also revealed that he now keeps a baseball bat behind the cash register as a precautionary measure, though he has not had to use it.

The impact of these thefts on Sciacco's business is severe. He stated, "I am going to cancel my lease. I am barely getting by. I don't see how I can continue at this rate."