Downtown Spokane Café Owner Struggles to Recover After Burglary During Hospitalization

SPOKANE, Wash. — The owner of a popular downtown Spokane café is sharing her struggles and emotional toll after a recent burglary disrupted her business while she was hospitalized fighting health issues.

Celeste Shaw, the owner of Café Coco, was in the hospital when she received news that her beloved establishment had been broken into early Friday morning. According to building owner Dan Spalding, an employee arriving to open the café discovered an unauthorized woman inside the building. The suspect had reportedly taken about $85 in cash and several pastries, though she ultimately returned the cash before leaving the premises.

While there was no physical damage to the property, the intrusion forced Café Coco to close for the weekend, resulting in lost wages for staff and lost revenue for the business during a critical weekend. Spalding noted that there were no signs of forced entry, indicating the suspect may have slipped in through an unlocked door or hidden inside the building before it was locked for the night. Police have identified the suspect as a local woman known to authorities for previous trespassing and suspicious behavior, and charges of burglary are being sought.

The incident has hit Shaw hard, who expressed deep heartbreak over the violation of her business at a time when she was already physically vulnerable. The local community has rallied around the café, offering words of encouragement and support as the business works to get back on its feet. The event highlights the emotional and financial strain that even minor commercial property crimes can place on small business owners.