It always makes us sick to see theft happen at small businesses, especially now, when so many are struggling to stay afloat in this economy.
On Tuesday, November 5th, Mount Pleasant’s Whisk Matcha Cafe took to Instagram to share footage of a disheartening incident.
In the CTV footage shared on their story, two female customers are seen stealing two dine-in mugs around 1 PM.
These weren’t just any mugs either—they were handcrafted creations by local artisan Emily.Created, known for her beautiful painted designs featuring strawberries, sakura blossoms, and dango.
Each mug typically retails at around $70, reflecting the time, effort, and limited availability that goes into each one.
The footage reveals one of the women wearing a pink cardigan sitting at the far corner of the cafe.
Right before leaving, she discreetly places the two mugs into her cardigan and then covers it with an orange jacket before leaving.
The other woman beside her does not object and is casually on the lookout to see if they’re being watched, then continues to push a baby cart as they both leave.
According to the story posted by Whisk Matcha, the two alledged perpetrators ordered one soy and one oat latte – Kimmy purposely used two different mug designs to help differentiate the alternate milk for the customer.
“I cannot believe my thoughtfulness got turned into punishment,” her post states.
It’s heartbreaking to watch, considering the value—both sentimental and monetary—of these mugs, which were made by a fellow small business owner.
Whisk Matcha Cafe, which also features plant-based Level V Bakery, is no stranger to supporting local makers.
Owner Kimmy Xiao has built her cafe around community, regularly showcasing products from other local small businesses in her merchandise section, including Emily.Created’s mugs and Tea House Candle’s scented milk tea and matcha candles.
Kimmy has requested that the two stolen mugs be returned, and has opted not to involve the police.
Instead, she’s hoping the community can help.
If you recognize either of the two women in the CTV footage, Whisk Matcha Cafe asks that you please reach out to them directly.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the challenges small businesses face—not just from the economy, but from incidents like this that threaten the sense of community they strive to build.
Let’s hope these one-of-a-kind creations find their way back home.
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Address: 39 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3H7