Business suffering for cafe at shooting scene

The Pasco cafe and bakery that was the scene of the fatal police shooting last week is in danger of going out of business due to a huge drop in sales since the incident.

Owner Vinicio Marin Gomez says business has dropped by 85 percent and he was forced to close the doors to Vinny’s Cafe & Bakery twice last week to cut costs.

The fourth-generation baker believes people have been scared off by the shooting.

“People used to come in before and have breakfast and eat lunch,” he said from behind the counter of his shop. “Now, zero. Zero.”

The cafe is on Lewis Street and its front door is just feet from Zambrano-Montes was shot and killed by police. Marin Gomez opened the shop up for Zambrano-Montes’ family, hoards of media and city officials in the days following the shooting,

However, few people actually bought Marin Gomez’s homemade pastries or hearty sandwiches, he said. He estimates he has lost thousands of dollars in the last two weeks.

The store opened in December and business was good until the shooting, Marin Gomez said. It’s the first business the Pasco man has opened and he is hopeful the shooting will not force him to close down.

Pasco police set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money to offset the drop in sales. By Saturday night the account had raised $365 out of the $25,000 goal. Police Chief Bob Metzger told the Herald local police donated $500 as well.

Marin Gomez says he is hopeful people will come back despite protests and the constant flow of media outside the shop.

“Just come in and taste the sandwiches and bread,” he said.

There is a variety of sandwiches, including the Cuban and a roasted pork one called the Torta de Lechon. The menu also offers salads, wraps, breakfast sandwiches and sides. The cafe’s address is 1107 West Lewis Street.

To donate to the fund visit www.gofundme.com/mwfjew.

This story was originally published February 21, 2015 at 9:45 PM with the headline "Business suffering for cafe at shooting scene."