Amy Harris reminds area residents of what happened to the Abhiruchi Indian Cuisine restaurant
Amy Harris
Clark County Matters
Earlier this year, a devastating fire shut down Abhiruchi Indian Cuisine — a beloved, family-owned restaurant at one of Vancouver’s busiest intersections, Chkalov and Mill Plain. The fire didn’t start in the kitchen; it was sparked by a homeless individual who had been loitering near the restaurant daily. Despite multiple complaints and requests for help from neighboring businesses, the city failed to take any action.
Despite multiple requests for help, the city failed to intervene. Then, the worst happened: a fire spread from outside and severely damaged the building.
Abhiruchi opened in 2011 and was the longest-standing tenant in that location. The owners, Kameswara Rao and his brother-in-law Gurunath, now receive 28 to 30 phone calls a day from loyal customers wondering when they’ll reopen. The restaurant employed 10 people — all now out of work. And while the city delays and downplays its role, a hardworking immigrant family has lost its livelihood.
The media in Southwest Washington has barely covered this story. But what happened to Abhiruchi underscores something much bigger: when elected officials confuse tolerance of lawlessness with compassion, the result isn’t policy disagreement — it’s direct harm to real people and small businesses.
The impact of unchecked street camping, open drug use, and public safety breakdowns isn’t theoretical. It shows up in closed storefronts, ruined neighborhoods, and shattered lives.
Clark County residents aren’t heartless — but they are tired of being told that compassion and public safety are mutually exclusive. We can care for vulnerable people without abandoning those who are trying to build a future here.
Vancouver doesn’t need to become Portland to prove it has empathy. Let’s make sure what happened to Abhiruchi never happens to another local business again.
Also read:
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement $13.6 billion estimate is too low!
Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $13.6 billion cost estimate understates the true expense, citing comparable projects, construction challenges, and engineering assumptions. - Opinion: ‘The drama and the waste of taxpayer money continues’
Rep. John Ley outlines his objections to the approved fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, citing cost concerns, engineering standards, funding uncertainty, and opposition to light rail and tolls. - Opinion: Why vote no on the Battle Ground School District levy?
Dick Rylander outlines why he believes voters should reject the Battle Ground School District levy, citing costs, enrollment trends, test results, and district spending priorities. - Letter: The multi-million dollar cash grab in Washington schools
Yacolt resident Mark Rose argues that rising superintendent salaries conflict with classroom cuts and repeated levy requests in Clark County school districts. - Opinion: When fast feels slow
Doug Dahl explains why drivers often misjudge their speed, especially when using cruise control or transitioning from freeway to city streets.
It boils my blood to read this. In fact, this fire was initially reported as a kitchen fire in the Columbian, and there has never been a correction. There has been no reporting about findings from the Fire Marshall either, and it isn’t hard to figure out why.
This Gentleman endured the presence of a filthy homeless camp on the now vacant, fenced lot right behind his building. For two years during the pandemic, the City did absolutely nothing about the filth, drugs, and crime right behind this business.
Very simply, The City of Vancouver, and Mayor Annie specifically, want no negative press about our “houseless neighbors”. The Mayor says there is nothing the City can do about “the homeless crisis” until their “bridge shelter” is completed.
We just found out last Monday that the building the City bought for this shelter has been deemed inadequate, is being demolished, and will be replaced with a metal building that will cost $1.3 Million, or $10,800 per bed, to construct. Clark County has agreed to cough up $2 Million in exchange for 30% of the bed assignments.
We also just found out that the project is now $4 Million more than was originally projected. How long will it be until Clowncil ups the rate on the B&O Tax to attempt to cover this year’s shortfall?? Clowncil is pledging to run this shelter for at least 10 years, but they can’t tell us what it will cost this year alone.
The problem is that the City acknowledges the presence of at least 500 “homeless”, says the bridge shelter will be the cure, yet it can only take 120 residents. That means the other 380 vagrants will be staying right where they are, with services provided to them to ensure they don’t go anywhere.
The City has been gaslighting the public about the so-called “homeless” for years, and there is no sign that’s going to stop any time soon. Everything about this is exactly the way Clowncil wants it.
Think about this before you fail to vote this Fall…
Hey Bob, just wanted to stop by to say you’re a horrible person. Enjoy hell when you get there!
Hey Bob, just wanted to stop by to say you’re a horrible person. Enjoy hell when you get there!
I’m deeply moved.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.