Businesses reeling from violence in Ferguson

At least seven businesses burned Monday night following a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

Dozens of businesses suffered some sort of damage or theft. On Tuesday, many worked to repair much more than broken windows.

The sound of power tools feels natural on South Florissant Ave. in Ferguson.

Dozens of people cleared glass and put boards where windows once let people see inside.

“Pretty much the windows, we had four windows that were broken,” said Kim Taylor, owner of the Do It Center.

Taylor bought the store from her parents fifteen years ago.

People broke into the store Monday night and stole a jackhammer.

However, Tuesday reinforced something she always thought about the town.

“It’s the niceness of this community that people just come out and they help,” said Taylor.

Alana Flowers graduated from Mizzou in December 2012.

With schools closed around St. Louis, her and a group of educators tried to make the most of the day off.

“We all just met together and exchanged trash bags and started walking,” said Flowers.

They walked to wherever and whomever might need their help.

“This is our community. I didn’t have a hand in looting and rioting but this is my community. It’s still in my due diligence to come out here and help,” she said.

Flowers said she is sad to see what happened to the damaged businesses in Ferguson, but understands the anger some of the people who did the damage may have felt.

Both her and Taylor said the conversations around all the issues this situation brings up is one that needs to happen.