The proprietor of a lingerie store in Regina is speaking up after her establishment was once again targeted by vandals over the weekend, marking the sixth incident in recent times.
Linda Bell, the owner of Thee Lingerie Shoppe on Albert Street, expressed her devastation at the repeated attacks on her store. From August 26 to September 4, the store’s front window was struck by rocks on five separate occasions, with some instances resulting in complete shattering of the windows, causing mannequins inside to fall over. Bell also discovered glass near the back of her showroom in one of the incidents.
During the recent weekend, a new window that Bell had installed was damaged, reigniting the cycle of vandalism. Despite the multiple incidents, nothing was stolen, and there was no evidence of anyone entering the store post window breakage.
Although insurance covered the initial $10,000 in damages, Bell had to personally cover an additional $4,000. Concerns loom over potential increases in insurance rates for the upcoming year. As a precautionary measure, the store has installed enhanced security measures including new video cameras and sturdier glass. However, Bell and her staff remain apprehensive about the possibility of further attacks, especially during business hours.
Bell suspects that a lone individual is deliberately targeting her store, although no suspects have been identified or apprehended in connection with the vandalism. The incidents have been reported to the Regina Police Service, who have offered to increase patrols in the vicinity.
The Excalipurr Cat Café, located further north on Albert Street, also fell victim to vandalism when its front window was smashed in the early hours of October 9. The café owners boarded up the window for several weeks following the incident. Fortunately, the resident cats were unharmed, and no items were stolen. Like the lingerie store, no arrests have been made in relation to the café vandalism.
Chelsey Legendre, owner of the Excalipurr Cat Café, expressed disappointment at the incident, highlighting the community’s support in the aftermath. She invested in additional security features to safeguard against future damage and noted the generosity of a donation covering the cost of a new window and its installation.
Despite the setbacks, the Regina Police Service reported a decrease in broken window incidents this year compared to previous years. Since May 2025, the police received 429 reports of broken windows, with August seeing the highest number at 89 incidents. October registered 60 broken window reports, marking a 22% reduction compared to the same period in 2024.
Regina police advised residents and business owners to promptly report any vandalism or mischief, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in combating such crimes. Crime analysts continuously monitor emerging crime trends to allocate police resources effectively.