Looking Glass Photo fans rally to save shop after 'violent break-in'

Burglars used a vehicle to ram their way into Looking Glass Photo in West Berkeley early Sunday morning, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

The longtime Berkeley business had recently moved from Ashby Avenue to a new location at 2239 Fifth St. (near Bancroft Way).

During the "violent break-in," the burglary crew rammed the shop's front entrance "multiple times, shattering windows, destroying doors, and leaving extensive damage in its wake," Looking Glass said on its GoFundMe page. "Along with the destruction, a significant amount of merchandise was stolen."

As of publication time, the beloved business, which has had several owners since opening in 1971, had just met its goal of raising $50,000, garnering nearly 600 donations since the fundraiser went live Monday morning.

And the support went well beyond the financial, the business wrote.

"Even in this dark moment, we have felt the light of our community. Friends — both longtime and new — have shown up to offer support, encouragement, and help," owner Jen Waicukauski wrote. "Thanks to them, we’ve already cleaned up the shattered glass and debris. Our landlord immediately stepped in to frame a temporary wall where our entrance once stood. But this is just the beginning. There is still so much to assess, repair, and rebuild while we do our best to keep Looking Glass going."

(For those who still want to offer financial support, the GoFundMe page remains open for donations.)

According to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner, the shop called police to report the break-in at about 5:45 a.m. Sunday after getting notified by its alarm system.

Waicukauski told police she saw "an unknown number of people inside the store smashing things through the front" just after 5:40 a.m., according to the dispatches.

Officers arrived within minutes and found the shop's smashed-in entryway along with signs that a driver in a white vehicle had rammed it to get inside.

Police said over the radio that the metal building frame was entirely "destroyed" and called for a Public Works crew to board up the broken glass.

On its GoFundMe page, the shop said insurance would cover some of the losses, but "it won’t be enough to rebuild our storefront or cover the full cost of what’s been taken. This puts the future of Looking Glass in jeopardy."

Expected repairs included restoring the storefront and entrance; replacing broken fixtures, displays and equipment; installing a roll-up security door for added protection; upgrading security measures to prevent future incidents; and "operational costs to keep our team employed as we recover."

"On top of these expenses, we’re navigating another difficult period of disrupted business, just as we were regaining stability after our move to this new space," the business wrote, describing the repair needs and security upgrade costs as "overwhelming."

Looking Glass also stressed on GoFundMe that the shop remains open for business: "We still have products to sell, and our workshops, classes, and private lessons are moving forward as planned."

The store said it had opened a side entrance for customers until the main storefront could be fixed.

"Looking Glass has always been about more than just selling cameras. It’s about fostering creativity, building connections, and keeping the spirit of photography alive in our community," the shop wrote. "If Looking Glass has ever helped you in your photographic journey, we ask for your help now—so we can continue to be here for years to come."

The Scanner called Looking Glass Photo on Tuesday morning but was unable to reach Waicukauski before publication.

A staffer said the business had been overwhelmed and moved by the strong community support it had already received.

This story will be updated if additional details become available.