QUEENS, N.Y. — Maria Petridis, the chef and owner of Maria’s Mediterranean on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, is no pushover.

Originally from Greece, this mother of three went from housewife to operating her own restaurant 10 years ago. It’s hard work that’s gotten harder during the pandemic.

Petridis says the biggest issue is the COVID-19 restrictions that always seem to be changing.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen for tomorrow. We cannot plan for tomorrow," Petridis said.

She’s also spent thousands to shift towards takeout and delivery and on equipment to facilitate outdoor dining.

The tent was a big purchase so when it was vandalized it hit her hard. 

"He starts slashing 'till the end. And then to make sure that he's gonna come back and finish everything," Petridis asked.

Petridis discovered the damage the day after it happened, but was able to see how it all went down. Surveillance video captured a single person causing the damage.

"First of all I got mad, then again I got scared. I got confused. Frightened because I don't know what's going to be the next move," Petridis said.

While Maria credits her supportive neighborhood with helping keep her business alive during the pandemic, she fears the person responsible also lives nearby because they’ve captured him on surveillance video in the area again, as recently as this week.

“Obviously, he was targeting this. He planned this. And he can plan, obviously he knows he can come back," Petridis said.

In fact, she’s worried if she makes repairs to the damage that may embolden him and end up being money down the drain.

The NYPD did confirm that members of the 111th precinct are investigating this case of vandalism but the investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.