Photo courtesy of WESH.
According to WESH, the Braid Bar, a popular hair salon owned by Shaneeka Clemons in Orlando, Fla., was burned to the ground on Oct. 1. Two unknown assailants were seen on surveillance footage running from the scene around 2:00 a.m.
The two arsonists broke into the salon and were inside less than a minute before video footage showed them running away. Clemons was alerted after an employee arrived to work the following day to find her place of employment destroyed by fire.
The Fire Marshall declared the salon a total loss. Clemons said that she’d already booked most of October when the fire occurred and has had to cancel appointments and send back deposits. She added that she wanted to relocate and reopen as soon as possible.
The Braid Bar owner also noted that hers was one of the only hair salons that catered to natural hairstyles while welcoming all hair types at the salon. Clemons added that nothing of value was stolen from the hair salon, and she wants to know who burned it down and why.
“I need help finding out who did it,” said Clemons. “We need help restoring. We as single moms, this was our home. This is how we made our money and this is how we took care of our kids.”
“I’m just trying to get another location to build my home back. My October schedule is already booked, but I have to cancel appointments and send deposits back. So, I’m wasting out on more money.”
Clemons was about to celebrate the first anniversary of opening the Orlando hair salon when it was destroyed by the fire, leaving herself and her five employees without any income. According to a GoFundMe that has been started to help Clemons rebuild, insurance will cover some of the cost but not enough.
“Due to unfortunate events, the Braid Bar was destroyed in a fire! This black owned business burned down in a very senseless act…The insurance policy will cover very little so we are asking on behalf of these women that you donate generously to help get this black owned business relocated and losses recovered. Shaneeka worked diligently day in and day out doing the labor and getting her affairs in order….We appreciate everyone’s outpour of love and support. The Braid Bar will be back better than before!”
No arrested have been made, and the fire department has boarded up the Braid Bar. The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating and requested that anyone with pertinent information contact 1-877-NoArson (1-877-662-7766).