‘It’s scary’: Beltline grocery store hit twice in a week by thieves as area concerns grow

A Beltline grocery robbed twice in a week says it’s part of a trend

A Beltline grocery store has been hit twice by thieves in one week, and the owners and other nearby businesses say it’s part of a troubling trend in the area.

“It’s been going on for years and getting worse and worse every day,” said George Kokos one of the owners of Kalamata Grocery.

The store had a smashed window and theft overnight last week and another one this week.

Now the owners are out close to $20,000 in cash and products, plus the cost of repairs and new security features.

“I’m spending $15,000 for the screens to come down,” said Kokos.

Other businesses in the historic block have already installed similar metal window coverings.

“The whole area is changed and it’s scary at night. ”

Erika Ravnsborg works at Peasblossom, which has operated along 11 Street for more than 30 years.

While she sympathizes with people struggling with addictions and homelessness, she says disturbing behaviour is impacting many businesses.

“Our foot traffic has completely died down,” she said.

“Often there are drug addicts shooting up in the park or defecating and if you’re seeing that, I mean, what are you gonna do you? You’re gonna run away!”

She and Kokos believe the problems were pushed to their area over the past few years.

“They pretty much just chased them out of downtown and now they’re here,” said Ravnsborg.

“If you can’t be on the river and he can’t be on LRT, you’re gonna be in every other park in the inner city coming this way,” said Kokos.

Break-ins down in 2025: CPS

Calgary Police Services says across the city break-ins are down.

CPS are investigating the two incidents at Kalamata.

The store’s security video shows a masked thief but police say that doesn’t protect most criminals.

“You can cover your face, but generally, we find they wear the same clothes, and what you have to remember is if you commit a crime with a face covering, you do face more penalties, said CPS Sgt. Nick Wilsher.

While most break-ins involve theft, police say the value of what gets stolen is often small compared to big risks faced by the criminals.

“You could end up with jail time, a criminal record, just diminishing returns for you, for your own life because it’s harder to get a job (and) harder to get housing,” said Wilsher.

Businesses in the Beltline are already taking many measures that police recommend to deter break-ins and thefts.

Police say you should make sure your place is secured and you have obvious security cameras.

They also say having a good relationship with other businesses and residents in the area as well as a community watching and reporting suspicious activity.

Kokos and Ravnsborg say there has been a lot of unsettling behaviour in the area lately and hope something is done to change it.

“It’s frustrating because it’s like the actual neighbourhood cares but these people aren’t a part of the neighbourhood,” said Kokos.