Owner of looted sneakers store surveys post-Lakers-victory damage

At the Holy Grail, a vintage sneakers store around the block from Staples Center, owner Richard Torres appeared exhausted from staying up all night after revelers ransacked his shop after the Lakers' victory.

Torres was watching the Lakers' game Sunday night at his father’s house in Corona when he saw images of the civil unrest on the TV news. He recognized the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Flower Street, where his store is located. Torres and his girlfriend, who works as the manager, jumped into their car and headed downtown.

About fifteen minutes later, their security company called, saying the store alarm had been triggered. When they arrived less than an hour after the game had ended, shoe boxes were scattered all over the block. Some shoes had been lit on fire and thrown down the street.

Torres and his girlfriend entered through the back door and saw the storage room all but empty. Fewer than 20 pairs of shoes were left out of the 800 pairs they had in stock. The floor was littered with receipts, price tags, tissue paper and crumpled-up shoe boxes.

Torres’ eyes grew teary at the sight. Neighbors told them the revelers had gone to the back of the store, and pulled and pulled at the white metal door until it broke open, all the while chanting: “We want shoes, we want shoes.” Glass display cases had been shattered. Two computers, cash, sunglasses and hats were also looted.

“It makes me not want to be a basketball fan,” Torres said, adding that he opened the store near the Staples Center in November 2007 because he was a fan and thought the post-game crowd would be the right clientele for his consignment sneakers.

He hand-picked a dark gray for the interior, lined the walls with plastic replicas of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House design and put up lighting so his shoes would be visible even when the store was closed. He tried to be at the shop after Lakers' games and had employees spin records on DJ equipment in the back.

Torres said he regrets not having been at the store Sunday night but knows he could have been hurt if he had been there.

“I thought it would be a whole different reaction” to the Lakers’ victory, he said. “Usually after the games we get a real positive response.”

Torres estimated his loss at $140,000. He expected his insurance would cover it but noted that some of the vintage sneakers were irreplaceable. He said he hopes to reopen the Holy Grail by the end of the week.

This morning, police arrested a man and a woman who live in a loft in the building after finding six boxes of shoes in their apartment.

-- Corina Knoll

Photo: Richard Torres, owner of the Holy Grail, stands outside his boarded-up vintage sneakers store Monday morning. Looters left behind fewer than 20 pairs of shoes out of the 800 pairs in stock. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[LetsGoMets]

Hooray vatos! Good job destroying people's lives during your "celebration!"

http://letsgomets.vox.com/library/post/nothing-good-ever-comes-of-lakers-or-dodgers-victories-in-los-angeles.html

[Kevin]

Shameful. Cancel the parade.

[Dan]

Can the city help this man with the one million dollars it is giving to sponsor a parade. This should be the first rule of business before any celebrating.

[Paul]

The Lakers should step up and help this guy out.
Just another small businessowner trying to do the right thing
and the animals would not allow it. LAPD FAILED.

[Adam Vant]

Where the heck are the cops while this looting is going on? Eating donuts. Nowhere to be found. This is why I am working as hard as I can so I'll have the means to leave third world Southern California and move to a civilized part of the country.

[guest]

just another naysayer trying and clouding the the lakers victory with a bit of negative shade. the damage that was done will be forgotton by all and even those that did it by tomorrow, but the memory of our victory will live on forever, so just get over and look at the good we have just acomplished!!! GEESH!!!

[Alicia]

How embarrassing for Los Angeles ! I sure hope none of those low-life losers embarrass us more by showing up to the victory celebration. Please stay home, and let the classy Los Angelinos enjoy Laker victory.

[Aaron]

Another splendid display of downtown LA civility. A bunch of stupid hoodlums. I wonder what the ethnic make-up of the rioters was like? Why does this always happen in cities like LA, Detroit, etc?

[Mitleid]

That's completely heartbreaking. The meanness, the disrespect and the downright stupidity of the whole thing makes me sick. This is one of the reasons I'm not a basketball fan. I'll stick to hockey, thank you very much. Those fans actually know how to say please and thank you.

[Gerry M.]

It truly angers me to know that we have pathetic losers like this roaming our streets. I am a LAKER fan but this is just an excuse by worthless people to show their true colors. It's sad to know that these types of people are among us, probably enjoying beers next to us at the local bars, L.A. Live, etc. They are scum and give hardworking people in the area a bad name. I will say this though, LAPD should have been more than ready in that area to completely stop any possibility of this. Did they not think this may happen???

Richard, I applaud your entrepreneur spirit and wish you the best of luck in reopening. The City of L.A., LAPD and even the Lakers need to be held accountable on some level and lend you some support! Maybe once you open some LAKER players can show support by being at your store??? I'm just saying...

GM

[Scott in the OC]

This is awful. Stealing and tearing apart a business from a guy trying to make an honest buck. The Lakers won - why the need for a rage? Show some class.

[Steve]

That's too bad for this business owner! I wish each and all those looters be put to jail for life! They don't deserve freedom!!

[Shayna]

What scumbags...

I hope that anyone who sees the face of someone they know in the many LA Times photographs taken last night, calls the police and turns those people in. Everyone who took part in the theft or vandalism, or knows someone who took part and doesn't do anything about it, should be ashamed and know that they represent the WORST of society.

[esperanza]

With all due respect, this is exactly how Los Angeles idiots
react to a team victory, court ruling, suspect car chase -
stupidly, violently, with a gang mentality.

Game 4 reaction should have been the indication the
cops needed to have a far bigger and better presence
around Staples, and the other usual hotspots.

LA just did exactly what the rest of the nation knew it would do: rioted, looted, vandalized. That's the real Los Angeles.

The Ducks won a championship - I don't think anyone looted
a store. The Angels won a championship - again, I don't
think they had more than a few incidents. Then again, the cops were out in full force for hours before and after.

I do wonder why the police of Los Angeles, the Staple Center, and The Lakers, did not have a far more visible,
heavy handed, and prepared response? Is this yet another
LAPD weak response, in light of the many attacks the police
take in Los Angeles, i.e., the Immigration Protest Riots, etc.?

The LA City Council and LAPD and State should do a complete
review of this. 25 arrests? It should have been more like
2,500 after seeing what we were all able to see on tv.
Considering what we saw after game 4. That was a clear
indication of where these idiots, thugs, gangbangers, and
thieves were going with this.

They are not fans. They are not knuckleheads c/o: the
Police Chief's comments.

These are criminals. Arrest them. Please. Try it some time.
I hope this man is able to open his store again - soon, and that he gets new business from people who read this story.
He is a positive figure in a negative story.

Thanks to the idiots of Hunt. Park, South Central, downtown
L.A., Staple Center area, who did such a great job
cementing the stereotypes of Los Angeles citizens,
minorities, males w/shaved heads, guys who wear
oversized Lakers jerseys, and the other assorted morons
who were all over our tv's last night.

[Diddy]

Im surprised this hasnt turned into an immigration issue or anti-Latino,yet.

[Engr Guy]

Why has nobody in the Lakers organization condemned this crazy behavior yet? It seems like the responsible thing to do would be to have a public voice against looting and other destructive activities. In the least they should be denouncing the people responsible for the 'riots' as fans.

[Harold]

I hope this can be turned into a postive for the business owner. I am a big sneaker fan and didn't know about the Holy Grail. The next time I am downtown, I am going to buy some shoes from Holy Grail!!

I urge everyone else to do the same! Support local business!

[kgoddess]

This is truly sad that a very small minority of so-called Laker fans can turn what should have been a clelebration into an excuse for a riot. They are not in anyway, shape or form to be considered sports fans, they are nothing more than punks & thugs, & they make me asshamed to be a Los Angeles native. I'm glad Mr. Torres wasn't in the sotre...he could have bee killed.

[Mike]

Why wasn't the Mayor of L.A. standing by front door in his lovely pink shirt begging the rioters to cease their illegal activites?, Oh yea he was guest of honor at Happy Parade Dinner (they vote).

[Spiffy]

What kind of people hurt their own in order to celebrate a victory of their own?

I do not understand it and I never will.

[D Curmudgeon]

If the Lakers had any class, the team would pitch in and pay for the loss to this business owner from the criminals that claim to be "fans" of the Lakers.

[Billy]

If I were him, I would either sue the Anshutz people for attracting this hostile crowd or the illegal aliens who spawned these aggressive creatures and let them loose in our city.

[KT]

Mr. GM, I agree with you! Well said! It is a disgrace that these so-called Laker fans are terrorizing our streets! You are so right! They probably are individuals who have nothing better to do than to get drunk at L.A. Live, golf and terrorize our communities. This economy really needs to pick up immeidiately, so that those "funemployed" get back to work and we restore safety in our communities!

[Solracg]

to all the people who want to talk about the ethnic makeup of the morons who were rioting in downtown last night...
Oh my god...white people riot too?!?!?!

http://youbeenblinded.com/boston-celtics-fans-riot-after-victory/1316

[GoWatchSoccerUScumbags]

Close the borders! I'm happy my hard earned/easily wasted state taxes will go toward the clean up. All Laker fans are scumbags.

[DowntownGuy]

Video of the Shell station being looted at Grand & Olympic. Another fine moment for the citizens of LA.

http://community.realmilitarynetwork.com/_Gas-Station-Getting-Looted/video/688722/67925.html

[j-Dub]

Hey if want peace in the streets, let the Celtics play the Lakers in the Finals again..... seems they (the Celtics) know how to quiet this town.

[Henry]

Unbelievable...
When L.A.P.D. should apply pressure on criminal activity, they don't. The lawlessness that goes on in this city-goes on and on and on. I wonder who is going to eliminate it. The Chief talks a good game-but can't even corral his own officers (i.e. the raid on an innocent officer's home by rouge offficers) and the Chief does not do a damn thing, that kind of behavior from him is worst that the crap in Alabama- at least they don't know any different down there.

What Los Angeles lacks is good sound-ethical leadership

[SoCalTony]

This is another example of lawlessness by mobs that should be dealt with in the harshest of fashions. I would have seen no problem if the LAPD had dispersed unruly crowds with water cannons and rubber bullets. As for the looters, doesn't the military usually shoot them in other circumstances? Why can't the LAPD? It may seem extreme to most people and I agree. But I also don't think lawlessness, thievery, and destruction of property by a mob should trump everyone else's rights.

[Bobby]

This would have NEVER happened in Orlando. Too bad no lakers fans died during the celebration.

[Michael Chick]

What a stupid spectacle. Look at Tehran right now, and then look at Los Angeles. They fight for their freedom. We fight for sneakers.

[andy]

Cancel the parade, give the money to shopkeepers and others who suffered damage. The Mayor would rather cavort with the gays than support the shopkeepers, figures.

[chris]

dont blame the LAPD they tried to stop the hoodlums. if you know anyone from the pics in the shoe store/ turn em in.

[Nathan Johnston]

I'm really quite surprised that LAPD was not out en force around Staples to prevent this kind of activity from getting out of hand. That seemed like a no-brainer and is what I assumed they meant when they said that they would be "ready."

Unfortunately, this is the same group of people responsible for a whole set of societal ills - graffiti, public drunkenness, vehicle theft, etc. The sad fact is that there is a cluster of degenerates that live among us and have no regard for our laws, law enforcement or their fellow man.

[Rebecca]

Please do not associate these losers with all of L.A. That's all I ask. Thanks.

[CYNTHIA REED]

Without Shame! Your such a disgrace to the REAL LA LAKER FANS! Please do us all a favor and CRAWL back under the rock you crawled out of... And where were the police??? I know, I Know the City is short staff and not enough funds for our Police. Here's a clue Year 2000 had the same type of riots or did you forget?? It's called PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

[tally ho]

Blame sport franchise, not law enforcement. The conduct of the society celebrations is so immoral. How is it that the people value their manner of discipline. Now the city wants to pay 50 percent for the parade. Is this coming from tax payers. It seems that law enforcemnt will be in numbers. Who is paying for it ? No economic issues with this city. Dumbfounded about the burden it is taking on. Oh no !, don't blame the franchise. HaHaHa

he conduct of society

[Very simple]

Typical, lazy, violent, LA ghetto "fans" and a clueless LAPD. Typical, typical, typical all around

[ddb1275]

for the person who posted as guest. the damage that was done will not be forgotten by all just selfish person like you. This man has to start all over, the victory will soon be forgotten, in his mind as well as the other stores that were looted and not televised. The good we have accomplished come on it is a basketball GAME. We are talking about a mans life lets weigh what is more important. let me guess you are one of the looters. Oh well maybe not because half those looters are ignorant drop out s who can't read anyway. The LAPD I am sure was there well the ones who still have a job because of the lay offs and budget cuts half the LAPD was even there and why should it be there fault? they didn't ask for the stupid people of LA to come out and burn the city down and destroy these stores.

[RS]

Hey Justin,
Check this out:

http://youbeenblinded.com/boston-celtics-fans-riot-after-victory/1316

and there's plenty more. Clearly you don't live in Boston and are just a frontrunner.

[RS]

Whoops, wrong message board!

[Craig]

Unbelievable. What an embarrassment for the city.

[ballrmom]

this wasn't a celebration, this was a bunch of morons, most likely drunk, high, or just nuts. how is looting a store relevant to a laker victory? hopefully the owner will be able to get his business going, what a bunch of idiots. i won't dare mention the nationally of most of the fools mugging for camera's!

[ballrmom]

that is " nationality" just makes me so mad reading the story!

[Tommi Selton]

These are the same fans that bring knives to Dodgers games. Maybe the "Celebrate with Dignity" commercial should have been in espanol.

[I_am_a_gang_member]

Many of the element that were in the footage of the Shell station store being looted had shaved heads and were latino and black. It's one thing to knock over a newspaper stand or break a few windows, but to destroy the lives of hard working people who like Richard Torres, the shoe store owner, who is a real man because he has enough guts and drive to run a business? These thugs that use celebrations to steal from businesses are nothing but children running around in men's bodies. They most likely don't work, collect welfare, know someone or have been in prison at least once, have no prospects in life and suck our government dry by using all out social services. I'm definitely going to buy from the Richard's shoe store when I',m in the area and buy gas and food items from the Shell Station

[Billy]

LetsGoMets should should have his blog card yanked. Besides being trite and cliched, his content is factually incorrect. NY Giants fans rioting...

http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?p=9998

[Lakers_Fan_Forever]

It's unfortunate that the actions of many lawbreakers and morons in that area of Los Angeles, makes people who don't live in the area, assume all Lakers fans (or the Lakers organization) approves such actions. This is the same type of thing that occured when the Lakers won the championships earlier this decade, and I was telling someone last week, "If the Lakers win, watch and see how certain people will act up and begin vandalizing and looting businesses near Staples Center". This just goes to show that those people who decided to do such criminal acts are low class people, and don't care that they're commiting criminal acts to celebrate the Lakers winning, and those losers feel that it's okay to do what they did, because most of them won't be caught. I hope they're proud of themselves.

[Richard]

Poster 'guest' who posted @ June 15, 2009 1pm is a moron. I'm a Lakers fan and this "celebration" was just shameful. Really makes me wish they didn't win the Championship. LAPD failed. They violently disperse a mainly peaceful demonstration in MacArthur park 2yrs ago yet they stand by quietly while a lawless crowd starts a riot. And to close, Villaraigosa is really putting this city on the map and in the news for all the right reasons. Thanks a million Villaraigosa.

[isimeme]

I am sure pictures and close circuit video exists of the "celebration". Law enforcement needs to subpeona them or have people volunteer them. They need to be closely reviewed, and raids should be conducted early in the a.m. while these vermin are still sleeping. They should be arrested, and vigorously procecuted. If some of these miscreants are minors then their parents or guardian most also be held responsible. It was quite shameful.I am sure had law enforcement being quite heavy handed in their response to yesterday's anarchy, all the community leaders would have crawled out from underneath their rocks howling like stuck pigs.

[Valerie]

Are these the same people who scream and holler when grocery chains and department stores don't open in their neighborhoods? Can you blame the corporations? They'll be lucky if the Shell station stays around.

[Guest]

Please close the border. Enough is enough. If they wanted the crowd to disburse, the LAPD should have called INS.

[Ryan]

People are stupid.

[Jeff]

to those that say the lakers should help this guy out. He has insurance. In addition what about all the money he made seilling to lakers fans. With out the lakers he would have no business. The lakers should leave the ungrateful city of Los Angeles.

[kooo]

Mob mentality not checked by a lack of police... I feel bad for the Shoe store owner, but compared to the '92 riots, it is NOTHING. Chief Bratton is a whole lot better than that racist Gates who sent all LAPD units west of La Cienga to only protect the westside. Yesterday was a huge improvement. Should have arrested more than 25 though,... does LAPD not have any buses? Where was SWAT?

[Ryan]

These guys should get very stiff finds and jail time for their stupidity.

[Ian]

I can only assume that those stupid idiots who lit fires in the street, scared the hell out of people in cars , threw rocks at a public bus, jumped on police car hoods and behaved like people who are life time losers , were protesting against winning. They are against anything good , any success due to a city with a victorious team.
Maybe the Lakers, overcoming difficulties, keeping focused and working so hard to win, were just too much for these
low life non achievers and they were protesting .
It looked like Teheran, where by contrast the protest had validity.

[ginnydog]

The owners of this store should consider filing suit with the AEG group who owns the Staples Center for their losses. In fact the LAPD and the LA Transit Dept. should also consider filing suits for damages incurred as well. If AEG had properly planned ahead, they would have had the appropriate security measures in place to diminish or even prevent the effects of the baffoonery displayed during last night's rampage. These penny thugs really showed the world what wee men they really are.

Let's hope someone with half a brain is thinking of how to prevent a repeat of such actions at the parade planned for tomorrow.

[El Grande]

The easy way to stop this vile behavior is to do the following: have a taco truck lead the revelers southward, drop a hat and play loud roach stomping umpah music, or yell "la migra!" real loud. We lub el ay.

[Nada Lakerfan]

The police and the city should take some blame for this. They were all standing there in their riot gear doing nothing while the knuckleheads were trying to overturn people's cars while they were still in them, damaging police cars, looting stores, etc. What happened to rubber bullets, gas grenades and other tools that they have to break up riots? Maybe if they actually used these items as well as made more arrests, they wouldn't have these problems in the future.

On another note, I hate to see the city putting any money into the parade. What they should do is show all the pictures that are clear enough to identify the people involved and offer rewards for info leading to their arrests.

[El Grande]

Less go lay kurs.

[LetsGoMets]

Billy,

The link you provided is to a small group of drunken Giants fans after a LOSS (not that that's an excuse) committing a reprehensible act.

However, you do understand the difference between a very small group of idiots, and over 1,000 people rioting and looting downtown as part of a "celebration?"

[Dog_Knows]

Dear LetsGoMets:

Wouldn't your time be better spent teaching that Mets 2nd baseman of your's to catch an easy pop-up or how to keep the Yankees from boat-racing your team 15-zip?

Woof! Woof!

[gaddy gat]

I hope that they are able to find most of the looters who went through 'the Holy Grail" and fine them, if not imprisoning them. This was a ridiculous act by fans that should not go unpunished.

[Oscar]

Idon't see why so many commenters feel the need to comment on the ethnicty of the looters. What are we supposed to deduce from that information anyway? That all Mexicans are looters? If that's what you were trying to say in the first place then just say it. There are idiots from every race and background, so whatever color they are is irrelevant.

[djfranchise]

DJ Franchise here from Know The Ledge. I am hitting up every blogger or sneakerhead that has posted about The Holy Grail that we teamed up with them to get HG back on it feet.

We (Know The Ledge and Holy Grail) got the date and event nailed down to help Holy Grail build its shoes and customer base back. Stop by on July 19th!

Thank you for spreading the word.

More info here:

http://iknowtheledge.com/kicks-and-fashion/ktl-x-the-holy-grail-consignment-drive-party-719