A retail business in central Labrador is reeling after being struck twice in the same week by thieves who were not only set on emerging with free merchandise but being destructive along the way.

CRB Supermarket and Deli in Northwest River was first targeted on the weekend but the second hit early Wednesday morning resulted in significant damage to the store.

Owner Leander Baikie says he has had to hire security, a luxury not many small businesses can afford.

Until they opened the business a few years ago, people in the town had to travel the 100 km round trip to Happy Valley-Goose Bay for their groceries.

They damaged the cigarettes counter, destroyed the security system, and busted windows.

Baikie is struggling to stay afloat with a repair bill of thousands staring him in the face. They have a staff of about 18 in a community of 550.

He says in a small town you’re only masking enough money to pay your staff.