Fundraiser launched to assist Sooke tech store get well from break-ins

Fundraiser launched to assist Sooke tech store get well from break-ins

Published 5:30 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026

A neighborhood fundraising marketing campaign has been launched to assist Sooke’s Gadget Tree Tech set up new safety measures after the electronics restore store was repeatedly focused by break-ins.

The GoFundMe marketing campaign, titled Save Gadget Tree Tech; Sooke’s Go-To for Tech Help, was created by Susan Jones on behalf of proprietor Alexander Kingston, together with his information and assist.

The fundraiser is looking for $15,000 to assist pay for a business -grade metallic roll-down safety gate that organizers say would higher defend the storefront after seven break-ins, together with 5 since April.

According to an replace posted on the marketing campaign, donors contributed $2,885 inside the first two days, placing the fundraiser almost 20 per cent of the way in which towards its purpose. As of Tuesday, July 14, $4,063 has been raised to assist Gadget Tree.

“We’re blown away,” Jones wrote within the replace. “Every donation, every share, every kind comment matters to Alex right now.”

Organizers say the prevailing entrance entrance has been repeatedly broken and can’t be simply changed due to the constructing’s uncommon dimensions, ageing basis and deliberate future redevelopment. They added that whereas the property’s landlords have been supportive, insurance coverage protection has not been sufficient to fund a long-term answer.

Instead, the marketing campaign goals to fund an inside metallic safety gate that rolls down from the ceiling and locks into the ground, stopping intruders from accessing the storefront by smashing the glass door.

If Gadget Tree Tech has ever helped you out, right here’s your likelihood to return the favour,” the marketing campaign states. “Anything helps, even just sharing this.”

The fundraiser follows months of repeated break-ins that Kingston beforehand stated had pushed the enterprise to the brink.

As beforehand reported by Sooke News Mirror, Kingston estimated the enterprise had suffered about $30,000 in mixed stock losses and property injury after a number of break-ins over six weeks. He stated stolen electronics, smashed home windows, broken doorways and an tried arson had left the enterprise struggling to soak up mounting restore prices and insurance coverage deductibles.

At the time, Sooke RCMP confirmed officers had responded to a number of incidents on the enterprise, together with break-and-enters and an tried arson, and stated investigations stay ongoing.

Despite the repeated incidents, organizers say the response from the neighborhood has been encouraging, with donations and messages of assist persevering with to reach because the marketing campaign features momentum.