Owner speaks out after theft at Detroit Lakes small business

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (Valley News Live) – In the heart of downtown Detroit Lakes is The Dashery, which is just one of many small businesses that sit along Washington Avenue.

Mandy Brower, the owner and founder of the men and women’s clothing store said, “The Dashery is the epitome of a small business. I started it back in 2017 with $2,000 dollars and a credit card.”

$2,000 dollars and eight years later, there are now two locations, one in Detroit Lakes and the other in Alexandria, both of which are extremely successful.

On July 22, 2024, three people came into the store and stole more than $800 dollars worth of merchandise, all caught on camera.

“They planned it. They distracted the staff, it was just so purposefully done, it really feels like an attack,” said Brower.

The thieves moved throughout the store, grabbing everything they could fit in their bags.

Mandy said The Dashery wasn’t the only store hit.

“We weren’t alone in this, we had other businesses in the area that were stolen from also,” she explained.

According to Brower, stealing from a small business has a much bigger impact than one might think.

She said, “Our margins are much smaller. We don’t have the bind power, we don’t have the supply chain like they have at big box stores like Target, we don’t have manufacturers, we just don’t have those things. We rely on middle men, or brokers, to help us get all of our items.”

They filed a police report, but without many leads, The Dashery took to social media to hopefully identify the suspects.

After posting photos of the thieves, some community members said they recognized the three, and they’re believed to be from out of state.

“We’re such a welcoming community to outsiders, but you don’t come into a community and start stealing and taking from them. That’s what angers me. You come into a new community, and you’re supposed to give,” she added.

The Detroit Lakes community is now rallying together to support The Dashery, hoping to make up for the money lost. Brower said the store’s numbers have increased significantly in the past three days.

Grateful for the community support, she said, “This really brings that closeness, that togetherness of the small community, and we do feel supported by all of this.”

If you recognize the three suspects, you’re asked to call police.

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