After the police shooting that killed Corey Ruiz on July 22 rocked the Madison community, the intersection of South Baldwin and Williamson streets was blocked off by the city, and by mattresses, pallets and debris.
A makeshift memorial to Ruiz sits in the intersection, with flowers, signs and candles. A giant black fist looms over the memorial, with a red, black and green Pan-African flag waving in the wind. Pop-up tents provide shelter to those handing out supplies.
While the city has mourned, the businesses behind the barricades are doing their best to support the community and pay the bills. Whether staying open or remaining closed, many of the shops and restaurants in the near east side neighborhood have offered support to mourners and protesters who have come to grieve and stand vigil at the site of the shooting.
Kallia Coates Gibbons works at Willalby’s Cafe at 1352 Williamson St. and the connected Capitol City Tattoo. On Monday afternoon, the cafe was empty before some diners stopped in for a late lunch. Business has been slow since the shooting.
“I know not everybody thinks that we should be open right now,” Coates Gibbons said. “So that has been difficult to navigate, because we have to make a living as a small business.”
Some of the employees and business owners were present when the shooting happened. Coates Gibbons was at the tattoo shop when the shots were fired.
A client had gone out for a cigarette and saw police congregating down the street. People who were in the area and frequented the tattoo shop funneled in to explain the commotion.
A random cigarette break is also how Lazy Jane’s Cafe employees heard of the shooting, about 30 minutes before its afternoon closing at 2 p.m.
A woman who works at the restaurant’s nearby bakery — the wife of one of the cooks — was outside “and next thing you know, she runs in and says, ‘Lock the door; I just heard gunshots,’” Lazy Jane’s front house manager Alex Gaspar said.
He put the restaurant, at 1358 Williamson St., in lockdown during the incident. He didn’t know if there was an active shooter or if police had shot someone.
Both businesses have remained open to not only ensure they can pay the bills but also to be sources of rest and comfort for the community.
Lazy Jane’s said it is a place for people to congregate, get water, cool off, use the bathroom or just grab some coffee or food.
“We want to be here,” Gaspar said, noting the business has also made sure to feed those at the memorial when they have leftover scones.
Business has been slower, however, with the street access blocked. Gaspar said they’ve noticed it, but “it’s not something where it’s like, ‘Oh my God, the ship’s going under.’ We’re maintaining.”
Willalby’s has acted as a place to store water to keep it cold. But business has been slower there too, especially last week.
The area feels dour and tense, according to both restaurant workers.
“It hurts to be open as people think it’s business as normal. It’s not normal,” Coates Gibbons said. And even though she didn’t see the actual shooting, it’s there with her.
“I close my eyes and I see it,” she said.
Ruiz’s memorial is right in front of Cha Cha Beauty and Barber’s front door at 1255 Williamson St.
Co-owner Genevieve Smith asks people who enter the store if they need the bathroom, offering it up for anyone. She said emotions are running high, but that she’s only experienced a peacefulness during the work hours.
For her, business hasn’t slowed down, but it was slow for her co-owner Brandon Dorman, who is a barber and had numerous cancellations.
“Which kind of makes me mad because I’m like, ‘He’s here. He’s been going through it. Support him,’” Smith said.
Cha Cha has made donations of supplies and money, letting people use the bathrooms and electricity. And while Smith is unsure of the reason for the cancellations, she hopes it isn’t fear keeping people away.
“I hope people aren’t afraid to come down here because it’s not scary,” Smith said. “We’re a community that should support each other around this kind of stuff.”
Grampa’s Pizzeria at 1374 Williamson St. closed July 23, the day after the shooting, and posted on social media that it was “heartbroken by the tragic events,” offering water, its bathrooms and its space for those in need.
Coolers filled with water, soda and Gatorade were left on the porch at Gib’s Bar next door.
The popular St. Vinny’s thrift store at 1309 Williamson St. opted to close until further notice.
“For 100 years, we have been working to help our neighbors in need,” the store said in a statement. “In fact, our work started right here in the Williamson-Marquette neighborhood. We look forward to welcoming you back into our store soon and continuing our essential mission work.”
Some other business owners also said they didn’t want to speak on the record out of fear of retribution.
On Monday, the city said it is working with the neighborhood and local organizations and businesses and “is focused on addressing public safety, assessing impacts to residents and businesses near Williamson and Baldwin streets, and evaluating needs and ways to meet them.”
In its statement, the city encouraged “people to connect with their neighborhood and business associations, as well as with their alder and county supervisor so we can properly assess and respond to urgent needs in a coordinated way.”
And even though it’s hard for everyone at the intersection right now, Coates Gibbons, of Willalby’s and Capitol City Tattoo, has hope.
“As long as we have each other we’ll be good. And I hope that’s something people don’t forget.”
