Support sought for vandalized shop owner
It is not easy to make a living in Montana, much less start a business and make it a success. Imagine being a small-business owner and showing up to work, only to find that someone broke in and completely vandalized your shop.
This is exactly what the folks at Rolling Mirror Massage and Wellness Center and Shanti Yoga Studio, in Whitefish, had to face recently. I don’t know why someone would do such a thing, and I doubt that I ever will, but the underlying anger and violence of the actions cannot go unnoticed.
As a massage therapist and friend to those at Rolling Mirror and Shanti, I was shocked to discover such a thing had happened, not just to my friends and colleagues but to any business in Whitefish. Moreover, I can’t believe that such animosity could be harbored toward a wellness center, a place that has an intention to help people feel better.
As part of the Whitefish community, I am disappointed by the lack of tolerance and respect this vandalism implies exists among a few of my fellow community members. Part of the charm of this town is the character in part established by its small businesses. You can know personally the owners of the businesses and lives you support. This is part of what makes this place unique.
I am writing this now to show my support to Rolling Mirror. I want them to know that I am glad they are a part of this community, and that the damages to their business are not OK by me. I would show this support equally to any small business here that experienced such animosity and harmful actions.
I urge you to show your support to my friends at Rolling Mirror. Let them know you think what happened to their business was terrible and intolerable. I believe that many in this community feel only support for the success of our local businesses, and hopefully are as shocked as I was to find that such actions occurred in our town. We have a responsibility, then, to voice our disapproval and share our support as a community.
Melanie Fortino,
Whitefish