On Sunday, the Charlotte Observer posted a story on their site about the recent string of break-ins at locally owned boutiques. When the story had been published, five stores had been burglarized: Sloan, IC London, Monkee's, Black & Blue, and Fresh.

In fact, Sunday morning, after the story had gone to press, Emily Haggart, the owner of Fresh, posted on their Facebook that the store had been hit again.

Sadly, this morning I woke up to discover another locally owned shop had been broken into. And not far from my own home.

Vivian B, a boutique that opened up NoDa last year, was the latest spot to be targeted by the "smash and grab" hoodlums. Glass glittered the sidewalk and the shop was eerily empty of merchandise. Two police officers were investigating the scene when I drove by.

The loss these local owners face amount to thousands of dollars, and it's just so disheartening. It's not like these criminals are stealing from Walmart or Target, where owners don't feel the pinch of such circumstances. The people who own these shops are just like you and me: average people just trying to make a living for themselves.

I have to tip my imaginary hat to the store owners, though, who, despite dealing with such ugliness, are maintaining positive attitudes through their respective ordeals. The world needs more of you folks.

Here's hoping that whoever's breaking into these locally owned shops gets caught soon.

If you have any information, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.