Dozens of masked vandals raided a high-end grocery store in Montreal Saturday night in an apparent demonstration against gentrification in the neighbourhood.

A lone cashier was working in the store, named 3724, when about 30 looters dressed in black barged in around 8 p.m., set off smoke bombs and stole thousands of dollars in food. The shop’s window was vandalized with the words “Long live de-gentrification.”

“It was very quick and very organized,” said co-owner Maxime Tremblay, adding that the employee was “really in shock” and “really felt threatened.”

The violent incident in Montreal’s St. Henri neighbourhood is one of several instances of aggression against gentrification in the area. Last year, at least eight stores were vandalized during a late-night siege acted out by vandals in masks.

The shopkeeper suggested that, if the looters wanted to send a message against big corporations, they picked the wrong target.

“We don’t believe in organic chicken at $30, but we don’t believe either in cheap industrial chicken,” said Tremblay, pointing out that he sells many locally-sourced products, such as smoked meat and tea.

“If they look at my last income tax report, I think they’re not stealing from the right guys … we’re not a multi-national… we try to do our best to be a good corporate citizen.”

Police have not made any arrests in connection with the incident.

With files from CTV Montreal