Lynn's Paradise Cafe statues vandalized

A handful of the painted concrete statues were vandalized in the parking lot of Lynn's Paradise Café on Friday.

The head of a concrete hippo was broken and a concrete calf was pushed into the parking lot. Photos of a pink concrete pig lying on its side on a sidewalk were also seen online.

The closure of the popular restaurant on Barret Avenue two years ago has caused concerns in the surrounding neighborhood, and several businesses near the vacant restaurant have since closed. Some of the closures were blamed, at least in part, on reduced foot traffic from Lynn's.

The restaurant's closure led to a one-woman protest Saturday outside the property that drew some 20 supporters.

The protest included signs that said, "Lynn Stop Holding Our Neighborhood Hostage" and "Lynn Move On."

Business owner Lynn Winter said Thursday that she is trying to sell the property and has empathy for residents concerned with the closure's effect on the area.

"I can sympathize with their pain," she said. "I can sympathize that it's tough right now because it is tough for me too."

Winter said she spends about $15,000 monthly to maintain the building, landscaping, utilities and more.

"I have invested in the neighborhood whether they know it or not," Winter said of upset neighbors. "I could easily have let the restaurant or the property go down."