Fudge Farm closing South Side location after surge in shootings, violence
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- After two more shootings over the weekend, violence on the South Side has one business leaving, others closing earlier and people demanding change.
Fudge Farm, a popular East Carson Steet spot for milkshakes, burgers and fries, announced on social media that its South Side location is closing.
The company, referencing two shootings that took place on East Carson in one weekend, said they can no longer ask teenage children, or anyone, to jeopardize their safety in the current environment.
In the statement, the company said they treat their employees like family and "wouldn't allow our daughters to work in this environment," adding that they wouldn't want anyone else's children to be in that same situation.
Fudge Farm shared video with KDKA showing an employee being violently attacked with one of their signs right outside the front door about two weeks ago. When owners came in at 5 a.m. on Monday, they found a loaded pistol on the backstep, sending them over the top.
"People just came rushing in the door trying to escape the fighting and the shooting. They were running through our kitchen. All I could imagine was one of my employees being shoved into a stove or a deep fryer because it was just mayhem," said Molly Rainey at Fudge Farm.
Two business owners also said they're adjusting their hours because of the violence.
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Barbara Rudiak with the South Side Community Council has called the neighborhood home her entire life. She said it angers her to see what it has become. Once a nice place to shop, eat and raise children has now become a melting pot for violence.
"People are parking, drinking in their cars, they're smoking weed in their cars and then they're going off to East Carson Street and not necessarily frequenting the bars but using the street where they're going to socialize and party," Rudiak said.
While Rudiak said she doesn't have the solution, she said the city needs to make solving this problem a priority.
"You are the ones with the expertise. You are the ones with the resources," she said.
A spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey told KDKA's Jennifer Borrasso that the mayor met with Public Safety Monday and details about how the city plans to address the violence may possibly come Thursday.
The University of Pittsburgh police asked their students to stay safe and to be aware of their surroundings when they go out. Two students KDKA talked to are heeding that advice.
"I'm definitely going to leave earlier. I am not going to stay out. The later you are out the more dangerous it is," said Duquesne student Russell Macias.
"The Ubers come here less frequently at night because they don't want to be here either," said Pitt student Grace Prevelig. "It's hard to get home. It's not safe. It's not what it used to be."
People agree something needs to be done.
"They definitely have to do something or they are going to lose a really good vital thoroughfare," said Jake Nathanson of Brookline. "The South Side is one of the oldest historic shopping districts."
In the meantime, the South Side Community Council challenges the mayor to come to the South Side this weekend and walk the streets at night so he can see firsthand what these residents and businesses are dealing with.
