The owners say it's costing them hundreds of dollars in stolen merchandise.
Read more: Local, Economy, Crime, Business, Community, Boyd's Market, Kingsley, John Boyd, Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Theft, Stolen Trees
KINGSLEY -- The owners of Boyd's Market in Grand Traverse County's Kingsley say a string of thefts is costing them in business.
"When you put up 150 trees and you sell ten a day and there's spots missing that were full the day before, it starts to add up," says owner, John Boyd.
It's been adding up to hundreds of dollars. Boyd says the problem started with vandalism this past summer of outside equipment and smashed produce...but just recently became much worse.
Boyd says about four Christmas trees were stolen from his lot this past weekend. Plus, on Tuesday he thought five wreaths were stolen, but he later found money left behind for them. The problem is that it wasn't the right amount.
"Somebody had taken five wreaths and left money, not the right amount but they left money," says Boyd.
"Has this ever happened before?" asks 7&4 News.
"Not Christmas trees, no never. We've done a Christmas tree lot for four or five years and never had Christmas trees taken," says Boyd.
To try and prevent the theft from continuing, Boyd put security camera's around his market. He's even put up signs asking that customers call him if the store is closed and they'd like to buy a Christmas tree.
"I have no idea why you would steal a Christmas tree. I mean that's new to me. It's a part of like, people steal things but to be able to sit around a Christmas tree this holiday season, around a stolen Christmas tree it seems like that's defeating the purpose of the whole thing," says Boyd.
Boyd says he understands the economy is putting a financial strain on people but he doesn't think that's an excuse to steal.
"I've got a family that I'm raising and those trees that are missing are taking away from what I can afford....When stuff starts walking away without getting paid it's hard to keep going," say Boyd.
