LOS ANGELES: A newly established second-hand store employing only people with disabilities is already under threat, with its owner claiming daily theft and harassment has become the norm.

Since opening KalAbility’s Boulder Op Shop in December last year, Sally Van Essen has taken measures to improve the store’s security and already reported a customer to police who had harassed her staff.

According to staff member Jessica-Mae Griffiths, who works alongside a support worker, a man continued to pursue her in an inappropriate manner, even after she expressed her uninterest.

“He became very aggravated when I said, ‘No please leave me alone’,” she said.

“It was very frightening, and you get very unsure with people like that, and it gets just very unnerving and it’s just not very nice.”

Ms Van Essen believed her store was in a vulnerable location on the corner of Lane and Piesse streets, which she said was a shame as the shop was the only one of its kind in Boulder.

“(There’s) people yelling and a bit of street violence and things like that happening around here, which is a bit hard,” she said.

“People come in fighting with each other.

“It’s a bit of an issue we are facing, so whether in the future we need to look at moving more into town, I’m not sure.

“I’m going to have talks with council and also the street patrol and so forth to try and get them a little bit more involved because we are a little bit vulnerable here.”

Consistent theft was another big issue for the store, which Ms Van Essen believed could force her shop to close if it continued to happen.

“The stealing is quite significant, so people will just walk in and help themselves,” she said.

“We’re really just making ends meet here; we’re not a profitable store.

“We’re supporting people that have a disability, so everything that’s stolen from this store takes away from that and makes it so much harder.

“If stealing becomes a big issue, that could be why we stop operating.”

Ms Griffiths said it was disappointing to see people take from a store which purpose was to help those in need.

“It’s an opportunity shop, that’s what op shop means, it’s for people that need help,” she said.

“So, it’s pretty sad when you think about somebody stealing something worth $2.

“I think people could be looking for a thrill.

“It’s pathetic to be honest.”

While the store was established to offer a space of inclusion and safety to its staff, Ms Griffiths said she felt uneasy throughout the day.

“I felt a little nervous to even leave the front desk to go to the toilet or go sort something out on the racks, because you know, someone could walk in, take something or go behind the desk and goodness only knows,” she said.

“It’s becoming a little bit of a burden but all we’ve got to do is just keep strong as a community and we’ll hopefully be able to sort everything in a civilised manner.”

KalAbility took over the store from Preloved Treasures on December 1 and has since employed eight people with disabilities at an award wage.

Store profits go toward staff’s wages.

Employees, who’s ages range from 16 to 30 years, are assisted through limited hours to suit their needs and the opportunity to work alongside a support person.

KalAbility’s Boulder Op Shop will begin to offer employees the opportunity to earn a certificate or qualification to help them gain further employment aligning with their goals.

The store, which sells everything from books to clothing, is open from Monday to Saturday.