As Liz Garibaldi and Anthony Saucedo sifted through the debris of their beloved Open Gallery in Long Beach, they were faced with the harsh reality that their lifelong dream had been reduced to rubble. The gallery, located on 7th Street and opened by the couple five years ago, had become a thriving hub for local artists and art enthusiasts alike. However, all of that came crashing down in the early hours of a Saturday morning when two vehicles plowed through the gallery’s windows.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, but the emotional and financial toll on Garibaldi and Saucedo was immense. The driver of the SUV, who was reportedly drunk at the time of the crash, was arrested and the female passenger fled the scene. This incident shed light on the ongoing issue of speeding on 7th Street, with other businesses in the area advocating for safety measures such as a crosswalk.
In response to the community’s support, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to aid in the gallery’s recovery efforts. The outpouring of donations has exceeded $30,000, but the family is aiming to raise $150,000 to cover repair costs and housing expenses for their displaced family.
Long Beach city councilmember Cindy Allen has pledged to assist the gallery owners in securing grants and funding for the restoration process. Additionally, she has expressed a commitment to explore the possibility of installing crosswalks in the area to prevent similar accidents in the future.
As the community rallies behind the Open Gallery in their time of need, the resilience and determination of Liz Garibaldi, Anthony Saucedo, and their supporters serve as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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