'Relieved:' Bit of normalcy returns to Wauwatosa businesses following nights of protests

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) – It was quiet overnight Monday, Oct. 12 in Wauwatosa after the city lifted its curfew. Some storefronts are still boarded up, but the businesses are open and hoping things get back to normal.

The Wauwatosa Police Department reported no arrests from overnight.

“It was stressful, but fortunately nothing really bad happened so we’re relieved,” says Guy Roeseler, co-owner of Ono Kine Grindz.

Ono Kine Grindz boarded up their windows a week ago as a precautionary measure before the district attorney released its decision not to charge Officer Joseph Mensah.

“Some of my high school students, their parents didn’t let them work, so we’re a little short staffed,” says Roeseler. “Customers have been supportive.”

The business has been serving the community for the last 10 years. While they say this is a tough experience, nothing compares to the support they’ve received from customers.

“We’ve had some real supportive customers, everybody just wanting to know if everything is okay,” explains Guy. “We told them everything was fine, we were just going to be closing early, but people have been really supportive.”

It’s the same support Steinkellner Decorating is getting as well.

“We have had calls to see if we’re open, to see if we’re okay, how the store is doing,” says Maureen Jackson, owner of Steinkellner Decorating. “We have a lot of regular customers who are very loyal customers. We’ve had a lot of concern which is really heartwarming. We’ve been busy all day.”

Jackson, along with a few other businesses in the area, decided to close around 3 p.m. last Wednesday. They just opened back up Monday.

“We heard that City Hall was going to be closed until Monday and we talked with a couple other businesses and we all agreed to close and to stay closed for that length of time as a group,” says Jackson.

Overall, businesses say they’re glad to see the support of the community as they stay 'Tosa strong.