Janina Zarowny was in business for less than a week before thieves broke into her Linaria Arena business and took nearly everything.
Zarowny had been working throughout December to set up a concession stand at the arena — prepping meals, assembling equipment and stocking freezers in advance of the new year.
“I got the call Monday (Jan. 7) afternoon,” she said, holding back tears. “Pretty much everything I had invested into the kitchen, in getting it set up and going was gone. They took bowls. They took Tupperware. They took an empty cash box. Supplies, food … everything.”
Her plan was to be open Thursday to Saturday for the various skates, hockey games and other activities. On Jan. 3, she opened for her first weekend and everything seemed fine.
But on Jan. 7 she got a call from the arena’s maintenance worker, Cal Bakker, telling her the building had been broken into.
Bakker said he left the arena Jan. 6 and found the place broken into the next day. He said he’s missing a hammer from his shop and few garbage cans, but most of what was taken was Zarowny’s.
She figures she is out at least $2,000 and said the experience has not only been costly, but has taken a toll on her mentally.
“I’m pretty angry. I’m a mom of five kids and I tried my darndest to get ahead and make a better life for them,” she said.
“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything big like this and put myself out there. So I’m quite hurt that it got destroyed. It severely, really sucked.”
But she’s not giving up and plans to stay open while she rebuilds, albeit with a limited menu.
“I am going to get back on my feet. I’m actually borrowing a box of burger buns, burgers and fries and I’m going to start with that tomorrow,” she said.
“They’re used to burgers and fries, but I wanted to give them something more. I had put together a perfect menu and with all sorts of options. When you’re sitting in a cold arena, homemade soup can do wonders for your bones.
“I love cooking and I wanted to treat the Linaria community like I would my own family.”
An RCMP investigation has been launched and anyone with information can call Westlock RCMP detachment at 780-349-4491 or report anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe page to help Zarowny get back on her feet and is called “Please help Janina get her concession back.”
As well, donation jars are also being set up at the Linaria Arena and at the Rotary Spirit Centre.
“Thanks out there to all my friends and family that are supporting me getting going again,” she added.
“I’ve got my fight mojo back.”
