By ED SALVAS
For 18 years, Amy Riger has been fighting a battle with people parking in front of her interior design showroom, AiM, on Fairmont Avenue in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township to go to the post office next door. She’s posted “Private Property” signs but no one paid attention.
On Oct. 19 she was meeting with a customer when a car crashed through the large storefront window and temporarily put her out of business. No one in the car or in the store was injured in the accident.
“It took one minute to happen,” she said, but the results are a loss of merchandise and structural damage that will keep her closed through the holiday season.
Riger said she can still run her design business, but figures her financial loss at $15,000. Damage to the building involves replacing the glass window, masonry work, new carpeting, and the impact to the ceiling and lighting in the front showroom. She said her loss is covered by insurance.
Shortly after the accident, Riger posted on Facebook that she’s always tried to be nice when speaking with people who think it’s OK to park there and make a quick run to the post office.
“We understand. Accidents happen. People are busy. Parking and traffic is an issue for us. But we are also trying to run a business. The accident took only a split second to create extensive damage both structurally and in inventory which will have a huge impact on us personally and professionally. So I felt compelled to publicly express ourselves.”
She has a suggestion for postal customers. “If you’re running into the post office, why not consider supporting us? You never know what you may find in our store, and help offset the issues we are currently facing.”
The orange cones will remain in place in front of the business until the repair work is completed. Riger also points out that there’s a large, free, public parking lot right behind the post office