SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A small business owner is determined to rebuild after he estimates more than $300,000 worth of specialized costumes and other equipment was stolen from his San Francisco office. For 17 years, Dare Fashion has specialized in occasionwear, designed and made in San Francisco. The Renaissance, Goth, Victorian, Bohemian and Steampunk styles come in all-inclusive sizing.
On May 1, owner Ben Wang discovered his office and storage facility along Market Street was broken into and countless costumes, accessories and dresses - gone. All of it just days before The IVth Gathering: World Goth Day Festival . MORE: Serial SF shoplifter accused of stealing $40K+ worth of items speaks for 1st time "All of my bestselling styles were completely wiped out," says Wang, outside the Market Street space that was broken into which is covered in graffiti.
"This building has been broken into five times in the last three years." Wang continued to say his manufacturing facility in SoMa on Jessie Street was nicknamed "The urine district." Ben says and his team still attended the event and are now determined to move past this crime.
"What I'm really trying to do is turn this around and how do you make the worst thing that's happened to you the best thing that's happened to you?" MORE: SF reporting uptick in ATM thefts; why police aren't chasing after suspects Ben commented on the state of the city and has seen it change over the years. "I still believe in the dream that was San Franci.
