BUCKTOWN — Left with three boxes of pepper spray that he was prohibited from selling at the front counter of his store, a Bucktown business owner decided to give the spray away to local moms and nannies, who have been targeted in recent brazen daytime robberies.
"We had an unbelievable, overwhelming response, and I was blown away by it. I have people who are asking me if they can donate money to buy more to donate to the community. That's how much security [pepper spay] gives people," said Tom Bellino, owner of the UPS Store at 1658 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Bellino added pepper spray at the front counter as an item to draw shoppers buying on impulse on Sept. 15. The spray was on a vendor supply list for franchisees, and he happened to see it.
It was selling well, but on Oct. 20, Bellino was notified he could not sell the spray in his store per a new company policy.
"In Bucktown, with the opening of the [606] trail and things that are happening, there is a lot of concern [about crime]," Bellino said. "It's a time and place thing, and right now people embrace the idea of [pepper spray]. It's nonlethal; it's not Mace. It's just an organic product that will give people the opportunity to escape."
With three boxes of pepper spray left over and no way to sell them at his store, Bellino told a few thousand members of a Bucktown Neighborhood Watch Facebook page early Wednesday that he wanted to donate the spray to moms and nannies, who have been targeted in recent neighborhood robberies.
"For this community group only, and only because nothing offends me more than nannies being mugged by lowlifes, I am donating the remaining 36 that I have in stock to those mom's and nannies who wish to protect themselves from the predators. When I run out I will attempt to reorder and post here," Bellino posted.
Bellio encouraged women reading the post to come by the shop and ask one of the associates to see the pepper sprays, which were available in different color and case options.
Alviar Allen, a worker ar the store, said that 12 cans were picked up by local women within two hours of Bellino's announcement on Facebook.
By 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sean Rush, another worker, said 24 more cannisters were given away.
Rush said everyone who came in was "very kind" and appreciative.
Since the pepper spray display was removed from the front counter, a gadget that attaches to the back of a smartphone and allows it to stand up is being offered for sale as the latest "impulse item," Rush said.
"We went from pepper spray to a phone accessory, but the pepper spray killed it. It was great; everyone liked it," Rush said.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
