WINTER PARK, Fla. — The investigation continues Friday into who broke into a community staple on New Year’s Eve night.
It happened at Austin’s Coffee off of West Fair Banks Avenue, and according to staff, someone had smashed the front door open with a brick.
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Inside the restaurant, the smell of java and the sense of a close-knit community surround the cozy space.
“I like to affectionately refer to Austin’s as your favorite cousin’s garage that got turned into a café,” Tristan Aguire, a barista and supervisor at Austin’s Coffee, said.
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As the shop prepared to enter 2025 with an uncertain future after the city purchased its property in November, it wasn’t prepared to be broken into and stolen.
“They didn’t steal money, they didn’t damage any of the equipment, they didn’t steal any of the other valuable things we have here, they just stole beer,” Aguire said.
Aguire said security cameras didn’t catch the break-in. Now, Winter Park Police are actively investigating and looking for leads.
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“They caused roughly $2,500 in damage to steal only about $200-$300 in beer,” Aguire said.
The economy and competition with name-brand establishments are reasons Aguire said it has been an uphill battle to keep Austin’s doors open.
He said while facing setbacks after setbacks, it would be a disadvantage to the community and small businesses for the more than twenty-year-old cafe to close shop.
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“It’s frustrating when there’s a new day to start entirely clean, bring in friendly customers, and now it looks like we’re more closed than ever,” Aguire said.
Employees told Channel 9 that community members have offered to donate to get the front door repaired.
For now, the owners ask everyone to come out and support the small business.
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