Wendy Dunn, owner of Lakeside Fashions in Lake Cathie, said she was heartbroken after a car ploughed through the window of her business on Friday December 30.
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The crash has temporarily closed her business until an insurance assessment can be done and repairs made.
“The main thing is no one was injured,” Wendy said.
The crash occurred at about 8.40am Friday, just minutes before the shop was due to open. Wendy arrived for work to find emergency services at the scene and a distraught driver.
The driver, police said, is a 35-year-old Port Macquarie woman whose foot became jammed under the accelerator of her car, parked outside Lakeside Fashions. The car smashed though the window, into the shop and smashed the side window.
If the incident occurred half an hour later, Wendy said, she would have been sitting at her desk near the front window and would have been injured by the flying glass.
Closing the business at peak holiday time is a blow for the shop situated just across from the popular Lake Cathie reserve.
“I was stocked to the hilt for the holidays and now most of it won’t be able to be sold because of the glass damage. I usually do a summer sale in January, but that’s been cancelled for now until the insurance is dealt with and furniture and flooring is replaced.”
Wendy said her landlord has offered space in the complex for a pop-up shop to keep business ticking if required.
“I’m hoping I won’t be closed for more than two weeks,” Wendy said.
No further police action will be taken against the driver of the car because there were no injuries and the driver gave their contact and insurance details to those concerned.
Kate Dwyer
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
