A newly constructed bagel shop in Sydney's fashionable Paddington district has been vandalised with anti-Jewish graffiti mere days before its scheduled grand opening. Candy Berger, the CEO of Lox In A Box, disclosed on Thursday evening that the small bagel chain's latest location had been defaced with a Nazi swastika.
Grand Opening Plans Disrupted by Hate Crime
The store is poised to open on April 9, joining the business's existing outlets in Bondi, Coogee, and Marrickville. In a heartfelt social media post on Thursday, Ms Berger recounted visiting the Paddington store the previous day after the building fit-out had been freshly completed. She expressed profound disappointment, stating, 'We were so excited to finally share our Paddo space with you. We were going to take you on a tour, we wanted to show you the hand-painted windows, the space, and all the details. It's something we've been working so hard towards for weeks.'
A Personal and Professional Blow
Ms Berger, who is of Jewish heritage, described the build as holding 'so much of us. Our literal blood, sweat and heart. And now tears.' She revealed the shocking discovery: 'Yesterday, we proudly took the paper down. And today, we wanted to cover it all up again. This morning, we arrived to find a swastika etched into the glass.' The incident has left the small business owner deeply shaken, yet she remains resolute in her defiance against the act of hatred.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Ms Berger shared, 'I've been showing up every day, pushing through this strange in-between of building something. Where you're no longer small, but not yet big enough to feel steady just yet.' She attributed her perseverance to her passion for her work, her colleagues, and her loyal customers. However, the vandalism struck a particularly painful chord: 'But today, my strength gave way. I lost my words, I didn't have gratitude. This one deeply hurt.'
Historical Resonance and Emotional Impact
Standing in shock at the scene, Ms Berger contemplated the symbol's grim historical significance. 'I am the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, and today felt like a punch that landed deeper than most,' she confessed. The timing of the incident, occurring just before Passover in early April, imbues the upcoming celebration with added meaning. 'A time where we remember that the Jewish people have been marked before. Hunted before. Silenced before. Told to disappear before. And yet, we are still here,' she affirmed, highlighting the resilience of the Jewish community.
Police Involvement and Business Resilience
Authorities have been notified of the vandalism, with Ms Berger praising the police response as 'amazing.' She assured that the incident would not delay the store's opening, declaring, 'We will not let it close our doors or dim the light of something we've worked so hard to build. That is what hate wants and we refuse to give it that.' The businesswoman's steadfast commitment underscores a determination to overcome adversity and proceed with the launch as planned.
This act of antisemitic vandalism in a prominent Sydney suburb has sparked concern, emphasising ongoing challenges related to hate crimes in urban communities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistence of such prejudices, even as businesses strive to contribute positively to the local economy and culture.
