A downtown St. John's business had a lot of cleaning up to do and operational matters to address following an overnight break-in.
The YellowBelly Brewery was targeted in the early hours of Friday, according to a post one of the business's owners shared on social media. Brenda O'Reilly said the break-in happened at around 4:30 a.m.
Among the items reported stolen were multiple iPad computers, an iPod music device and a tablet programmed to manage Skip The Dishes delivery orders, as well as an unspecified quantity of cash and alcohol.
Speaking to The Telegram Friday, O'Reilly said the loss of the Skip The Dishes tablet was particularly disheartening given the current business climate. The St. John's metro area and the rest of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula are currently at Alert Level 5 for the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, restaurants cannot accommodate in-person dining.
While YellowBelly can still take orders directly through its own website, Skip The Dishes was its primary tool for food delivery.
"Right now, during this pandemic, we're just doing takeout and delivery, and that is our delivery mechanism, so it's a bit of a drag," she said, adding the Skip The Dishes tablet is not a device you can simply go to a store to replace. You have to get it directly from the company.
"I don't think it's of any use to whoever took it," O'Reilly said. "But hopefully, the police will have some leads."
Pictures O'Reilly shared online showed a side-window at the front entrance was broken during the break-in. O'Reilly said the break-in dig trigger the security alarm, which subsequently generated a call to police. The business does have security cameras and O'Reilly said any relevant footage will be shared with the authorities.
Can’t seem to catch a break, but can get broken into @Yellowbellybrew 😞 around 4:30am. Took our pos iPads, iPod, skip the dishes tablet, float, & booze. Let us know if you see such items being pandered. pic.twitter.com/bZSM1UNEOZ
— Brenda O'Reilly (@brendaoreilly) March 5, 2021
"It is, unfortunately. It's just another blow when you're already down," she said.
A Royal Newfoundland Constabulary media relations officer confirmed police are investigating the break-in.
Andrew Robinson is a business reporter in St. John's.
