Among the rubble, how about an uplifting story?

As you’re surely aware, small business owners haven’t had the best time of it as of late.

First there was the COVID lockdown, and now we have people destroying mom and pop establishments in the name of fighting the Power.

One such casualty was a Minneapolis sports bar owned by firefighter KB Balla and his wife, Twyana.

As reported by RedState’s Nick Arama Saturday, the place — called Scores — was soon to open.

But tragedy struck.

From Nick’s article:

His bar was torched Wednesday night. While media was interviewing him on Thursday morning, more rioters tried to break into a safe he had in the back of the bar.

That local newscast made its way to the web:

So sad. This poor business owner lost everything due to the #MinneapolisRiotpic.twitter.com/mK0nHFNthS

— Former Democrats for Trump (@YoungDems4Trump) May 29, 2020

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I worked so hard to get here. So hard,” he sobbed, tears rolling down his face.

In the aftermath — as Nick relayed — a GoFundMe account was set up for the family.

The account’s page explained:

Scores Sports Bar was set for a grand opening this spring but when COVID-19 hit that was put on pause. Now, just as Scores was gearing up to welcome customers with updated guidelines from the govenor, George Floyd was murdered and everything changed overnight.

Scores Sports Bar was LOOTED,  VANDALIZED and DESTROYED 5/27/2020. This black-owned business is left trying to pick up the pieces amidst mourning with the community.

About the Bar Owners: Kb Balla & his wife Twyana are active members of their community. KB is a Firefighter on the Brooklyn Center Fire Department and Twyana was a member of the Sounds of Blackness. They have a 4 beautiful children and the toll of this entire situation is heavy. KB has been a community entrepreneur for decades and coaches and contributes to the community in which they live.

Anything you can donate to start the rebuild process will be a blessing.

Well, something amazing has come to pass.

What a “rebuilding” has taken place.

On Sunday, KB posted the following update:

Hello Virtual Scores Family,

I wanted to take a quick moment to update you all on what has been happening. The last 48 hours has been an out-of-body experience. It has been an emotional roller coaster but as I said in my last post, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed that so many people from around the world were able to connect with my story and are supporting the bar.

Initially, the thought was to rebuild Scores Sports Bar, but as many of you know the entire building was burned down and has been reduced to rubble as have many buildings in the surrounding area. It will take some time to work on a strategic plan for Scores Sports Bar but the goal is still the same. The resilience of my city and of the global and local community has re-ignited a fuel deep within. COVID-19, and a fire cannot stop what plans I have to open my dream and I cannot wait to open the doors and serve all the people who have supported us and will continue to do so.

As the community rebuilds, we will continue to contribute to community efforts and find ways to connect and support one another. Again, thank you all for your provision.

As of the time of this posting, of its $100,000 goal, the site has raised — are you ready for this? $922,527.

In his Friday post, KB had recalled, “I went to Scores yesterday and all I could do was cry. As a firefighter and public servant, I am used to saving lives and being strong, but this broke me. The glass was broken, it was looted, and vandalized.”

He continued:

“While filming for CNN, people came in trying to steal the safe and I wondered what next? My community, that’s what. Strangers showed up with brooms, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and food. They helped me and my family clean up in 20minutes what would have took days. THIS IS WHAT GIVES ME HOPE! I want to thank and shed light on the real true Minnesotans who helped many of us small business owners clean up yesterday.”

“I know it will take some time,” he said, “but we will rebuild and come back even stronger than ever. To the countless people who donated on the Go Fund Me page, sent emails of encouragement, and those praying for us and supporting us around the world, THANK YOU! We are all in this together. Stay safe, stay blessed, and keep praying for Minnesota.”

He was certainly right — he and many generous Americans were in it “together.” The way it should be.

So often, it seems the world is going to hell. But every now and then, we get a little glimpse of heaven — of news that parts the clouds and lets the light through. And if anything is of God, it is charity. Generosity. Selflessness. Thoughtfulness. Concern for one’s fellow man.

KB’s story is a good reminder — and a needed one, given the state of things — that, even this weekend, a great and American virtue is still alive and well.

May it always be.

-ALEX

See 3 more pieces from me:

Mayor Bill de Blasio Gets Down to the Heart of the Riots: It’s Donald Trump’s Fault

‘F-ing Nazis!’ A Man in a Red Hat is Chased and Attacked by a South Carolina Mob

Atlanta’s Mayor Rips the Rioters With a Fire That Would Make Angry Mothers Everywhere Proud

Find all my RedState work here.

And please follow Alex Parker on Twitter and Facebook.

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