Cambridge businesses band together for REK Firearms after attempted break-in

DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – Heather and Rob Kramer, owners of REK Firearms, are dealing with thousands of dollars in damage.

Dealing With Damage

Around 1:30 a.m. on October 6th, four would-be robbers attempted to break into the couple’s business.

“They pretty much took out every window, any kind of piece of glass that they could,” Heather Kramer told WMDT. “They thought they were cutting our alarm system, and it wasn’t the alarm system, and they busted that box.”

Thankfully, the suspects were not able to get past the metal window bars, access the building, or steal any products. It’s been a rough start to the week for the Kramers, to say the least. However, there is a silver lining.

“It’s been pretty much an emotional roller coaster the past few days, between being angry and feeling grateful that people want to help you out,” Kramer said.

Raffle Prize to Remember

Fellow local small business owners wasted no time in figuring out a way to help the Kramers rebuild. And the solution doesn’t get more Cambridge than this:

A custom-built half-bushel crab steamer pot, made by owner of Kommercial Kitchens Inc., Shawn Bell. “It’s got a false bottom, a little shrimp screen in the bottom as well,” Bell explained. “It’s all 10 gauge heavy-duty stainless steel.”

The pot is stuffed with more than $1,000 in gift cards for local businesses, all the tools and fixings for a crab feast, plus other goodies like wine, snacks, a book, and apparel.

Stefano Bono, chef and co-owner of Carmela’s Cucina is hosting the raffle drawing. Bono says he’s been blown away by how much support piled up so fast.

“All these other businesses just started joining in and donating gift cards. So, we’re selling raffle tickets at $25 each, and we’re doing 300 tickets total,” Bono said. “When something like this happens, the only thing to do is show support and help out those in need.”

No-Brainer to Help a Neighbor

Heather Kramer says she was “shocked” to see the outpouring of support, but isn’t surprised that fellow business owners stepped up in the first place.

“[The business community] is pretty tight-knit,” Kramer said. “I think especially anybody else that owns a small business and knows that dealing with insurance companies and stuff like that knows how tough it is.”

That’s a sentiment that Bell can relate to.

“We’ve had our shop broken into once years ago, and it’s a headache,” Bell remembered. “That there are other people out there willing to help out stand step up, it’s a nice thing to know.”

And Bono says it was a no-brainer to help a neighbor.

“We love this town, we love this community, we love what we bring to the table,” Bono said. “And, people love us for it. So, we just try to help out as much as possible whenever we can.”

Looking Ahead

Raffle tickets can be purchased in person at Carmela’s Cucina, located at 400 Academy Street in Cambridge, Md. Organizers prefer that tickets be purchased with cash. Bono will live-stream the drawing from the restaurant on October 18th.

Police are still searching for the suspects behind the attempted break-in.