. It's a different sort of hard when it's a place of business, especially one as central to a community as Tops is to east Buffalo., Colorado, after a mass shooter killed 12 people there in 2012. That was one theater in a 16-screen suburban cineplex.
Tops President John Persons said Thursday that the company began hearing from customers, community members and civic leaders the day after the May 14 shooting. Almost immediately, the company started running a free shuttle from the neighborhood to other Tops stores. It is also made to be safer, with a new emergency evacuation alarm system and additional emergency exits. Outside, the parking lot and perimeter have new LED lighting.
Tops says it is working with state, city and community leaders to create a permanent public memorial to be installed outside the store.“I think there’s still a place of mourning and grieving,” she said. “We’re still kind of in a blaming space, where they need somewhere to focus that energy. And so it’s just being focused here, which is completely understandable.”
“This is such a family store, it’s so close to everyone’s homes," said Louis, who frequently walked the four blocks to the store wearing Crocs and house pants."When I’m in Tops, I know that these people aren’t judging me.”