LOUISVILLE, Ky. — “We worked hard for it and we made sure that it was still standing after” Kula Art Gallery owner said.
Kula Art Gallery started as a passion project in high school for the ger and curator Jamie Lane.
“We're definitely fortunate but it’s so heartbreaking to see our counterparts having seen that kind of destruction, Lane said.
A simple black and white sign taped to their storefront windows, Jamie says may have been the exact reason--their business didn't get hit by vandals Friday and Saturday night.
“Our staff, they were literally here all night until it was over and then did it again on Saturday” Lane stated.
While on guard outside, Jamie says the gallery did encounter looters.
“He said, this is my business, this is how I feed my family, Lane said.
Seeing the signs worked she started to get some calls.
“Saturday morning I came in and printed additional signs for the business and neighborhood as well as in the city to state they were black-owned businesses. Apparently that helped this last Friday and Saturday” Lane said.
KULA and surrounding businesses have been closed since COVID-19 hit many just reopening are now again closed because of all the destruction.
"We all look after each other like family” Lane said.
Jamie said seeing what happened to all of the other businesses was hard.
“It made me paralyzed watching the videos, Lane said.
But she says she knows how lucky they were to have that simple sign in their window.
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