Brussels Shops boarded up amid fears of repeat of last week's looting

On Saturday, shops throughout Brussels were hastily boarded up as business owners took measures to prevent a recurrence of the looting and violence that had occurred in the Belgian capital just a week prior. While some confrontations did occur, they were significantly less intense than the previous incidents. Along the city's main shopping streets, wooden panels were placed over display windows and entrances, transforming entire sections of commercial frontages into stark, blank walls.

High-end brands such as Tiffany & Co., Prada, Versace, and Ferragamo were among those adopting protective measures. Other stores like Lacoste, Nike, Versace, and Ferragamo, along with smaller enterprises including an optician and a phone repair shop, also boarded up their premises. Even a Quick restaurant joined in by covering its windows and entrance with wooden panels.

Some businesses chose to remain open despite the barriers. At Nike, customers could still enter through an uncovered doorway, while Quick displayed a small sign stating "open" on its boarded frontage. Pedestrians continued to traverse the streets, with vehicular traffic flowing smoothly through the adjacent roads. The protective measures were implemented due to concerns about potential further unrest following calls on social media for a fresh demonstration in Brussels on Saturday.

Shops along Avenue Louise, Porte de Namur, and Rue Neuve were particularly vigilant, reinforcing their establishments to guard against damage and theft. Several stores on Rue Neuve had already been looted during the unrest on October 17th.

Police responded to the potential disturbances with the use of tear gas and water cannons, engaging in clashes with rioters in central Brussels. For businesses operating on Saturday, the boarded-up windows offered a means of safeguarding their storefronts while still allowing some customers to access their establishments.