Community lends a helping hand to Elgin Street baker after robbery
The shelves and trays are nearly empty at Brown Loaf Bakery on Elgin Street.
A steady flow of customers patiently waited to order and offer their sympathy to bakery owner Shanchao Yan, whose right arm is now in a cast after being robbed this week.
“(They) came here twice,” said Yan. “And got money….cash.”
According to Yan, the bakery was robbed last Saturday and again Wednesday. He was alone both times.
It was during the second robbery when he injured his hand, trying to stop the thief.
“Living down the street, it’s definitely strange to hear about that happening on Elgin especially at 4 in the afternoon,” said Mitchell Sinclair.
He visits Yan on a regular basis, picking up a croissant en route to work. After seeing Yan’s hand in a cast, he volunteered his time to help in the kitchen on Saturday.
“I don’t know if you could call it helping but I’m attempting to help getting bread in and out of the oven, stacking it and getting it ready for customers,” said Sinclair. “I’ve never seen bigger lines. There’s not a lot left here, it’s pretty much coming out of the oven and right out the door.”
Sinclair wasn’t the only one eager to show support after hearing what had happened to the local baker.
“I was so devastated to hear what happened,” said Anna Kozlova, who picked up a loaf of sourdough bread.
“I usually come in here for bread anyway but today I really felt I should come in to support them.”
“This is the first time I’ve been here,” said Gern Alexander. “I’m stunned he’s selling out of a lot of stuff.”
Since the robbery, security cameras have been installed. Yan says police have checked in with him throughout the week.
Even though he will be in a cast for at least four weeks, the baker continues to stay positive, feeling grateful and overwhelmed by the support his community has shown in these recent days.
“I’m very appreciative.. lots of customers,” he said. “I’m very, very appreciate and you can see more young people came here being supportive.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince Charles receives military award as second day of Canadian royal tour begins
Prince Charles was invested as an extraordinary commander in the Order of Military Merit and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial as he began the second day of his Platinum Jubilee tour of Canada.

Portugal identifies five monkeypox infections, Spain has eight suspected cases
Portuguese authorities said on Wednesday they had identified five cases of rare monkeypox infection and Spain's health services are testing eight potential cases after Britain put Europe on alert for the virus.
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
Confirmed tornado touched down in southern Sask.: Environment Canada
Environment Canada confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Caron, Sask. on Tuesday night.
Worry, buyer's remorse high as real estate market slowdown materializes
A wave of buyer's remorse is taking shape in several heated real estate markets, after housing prices started dropping and the number of sales slowed over the last two months.
BREAKING | Canada's inflation rate hits three-decade high of 6.8 per cent: StatCan
The cost of nearly everything at the grocery store continued to climb higher to push the annual inflation rate up in April.
What's the average price of a home where you live?
While the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association shows that the average price of a home in Canada declined month-over-month, Canadians still spent more on home purchases in April 2022 than they did one year before. CTVNews.ca has gathered properties from across the country, listed at what is considered the average price of a home in their respective regions.
Alberta's Kenney to learn fate as party announces results of leadership review vote
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is to learn today if he still has enough support from his party to stay on as leader.