Just My Essentials Reopens

Just My Essentials, a black-owned business reopened over the weekend after it was broken into and vandalized with racist remarks back on September 26. (Tori Lavon/Clovis Roundup)

A locally owned business in Old Town Clovis re-opened doors again.

Just My Essentials, is a natural body care shop specializing in essential oils and organic material.

On September 26, it was vandalized; the small shop was destroyed wall to wall. Products were stolen, destroyed, and the walls were spray-painted with racial slurs. BLM was crossed out with spray painting indicating a hate crime.

The business owner received a lot of support from the community. Community members set up a GoFundMe to help repair the shop and any lost merchandise.

“I’m really at a loss for words. Old Town Clovis has embraced me and my store. They have grounded me. I am grounded. I’m rooted, and I’m staying,” says Chanel Wapner, owner of Just My Essentials.

Wapner had her reopening this past Saturday, Nov. 14. When she arrived to open shop, people had already been waiting more than two hours.

The line to her shop wrapped around the corner.

She described the day as being perfect and that it could not have gone better.

While the shop was being repaired, Wapner received notes of support and flowers left by strangers at her door steps.

“It is the emotion that has been displayed to me since this has happened; it means more to me. It makes me feel like I am truly welcomed and wanted. That is the most important thing,” says Wapner.

Just my Essentials is officially back open for business Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tori Lavon is a Multimedia Journalist from Reedley, California. She received her Bachelor's in Mass Communications and Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcasting from California State University, Fresno. Currently, she is a radio intern at One Putt Broadcasting. On occasion, Tori has the opportunity to be on-air with talent. She is getting her start in media. She has a passion for reporting, photography, and videography. Tori also has a love for art; she loves to draw, paint, and does pottery on the side. One day she hopes she can be on-air talent at a radio station as well.