Vandals last week broke into Romano’s Shoe Repair, one of Orange’s oldest businesses. They spilled glue, threw nails around and splattered dye. “If it was on a shelf it was pushed off. If it was in a box it was thrown around,” said owner Allen Nation.
Also, “an expensive” black Harley Davidson leather jacket is missing, he said.
The business at 1307 Green Avenue has its roots back to 1915. The Romano family moved it to the current location in 1945. Nation has owned the business “going on 30 years.” The old items include an antique wood and glass case and a ceiling fan from the old Holland Hotel. They were not damaged.
Orange police report the break-in was discovered at 9:38 a.m. Wednesday. Someone had kicked in the back door to the shop. Nation said he had to take his son to a baseball skills camp and leave immediately.
Tuesday, he was continuing to take an inventory of the damage and clean the mess. “Whoever it was just came in and disheveled the place,” he said. A $100 can of glue was spilled all around. His telephone was ripped from the wall and is missing. The TV and cash register were knocked onto the floor.
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