Pink Rose Café owner Nadia Zamora received a big surprise after what’s been a tough year so far. Her La Mesa business was damaged in the May riots, before it even got a chance to open. She responded to the violence by organizing art displays and messages of hope on damaged businesses.
On Wednesday Zamora received $5,000 from Union Bank and a free one year membership to the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. She said she was overjoyed by the community support.
“My husband and I are very used to not asking for anything, not going to anyone for help, doing it on our own and just pushing forward. To receive anything in return just for just the gesture that I did, for being selected, it’s very humbling,” Zamora said.
During the riots, Zamora’s business lost over $4,000 in tools and suffered property damage.
“They broke our windows, they went inside, took some items, construction mainly since we were still in construction. So it was a very devastating time to be here, but we’re pushing forward,” she said.
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Rana Sampson of Union Bank said Zamora was just one example of business owners in the area who were hit hard by COVID-19 and property damage from the riots.
She said she was taken aback by Zamora's ability to bring people together.
“She gave back so much to the community, just because it's in her heart,” Sampson said. “And we wanted to do something.”
While Pink Rose Café is currently boarded up with art-covered plywood, Zamora said it still holds the same purpose: creating a safe space, specifically geared towards girls and women.
The café is slated to open in December or January.
