Artichoke Community Music Robbed 4 Times Since June

Portland, Oregon-based music store and nonprofit Artichoke Community Music has been broken into four times since June. As a result, the executive director of the nonprofit musical instrument store told local Portland NBC affiliate KGW8 it’s making some permanent changes to the facade of its storefront avoid future break-ins.

Since the burglars have stolen the store’s instruments by smashing the front door and windows, executive director Paul K. Ward said the store will affix plywood and metal decorated with posters to the windows of the store.

“It’s expensive for us,” Ward told KGW8. “It takes money out of our pocket. It’s a big deal for us. Half my time has been spent dealing with the downside.”

Artichoke Music has been around for nearly 50 years, and offers classes on folk music as well as an instrument lending library that makes instruments available to all. It also provides music teachers with an affordable, comfortable space for lessons.

artichokemusic.org