AKRON — It as a normal night wrapping up dinner service before closing time, but it turned into something Julie Costell will never forget.
"You’re not going to behave like that if you’re not hurting, if you’re not desperate, if you’re not in need," said Costell, owner of Ms. Julie's Kitchen. "It’s not a normal behavior to go and rob people and put a knife to their neck."
Costell said a young, tall man, in dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt that covered his face and wearing dark blue gloves, walked in and immediately asked for the location of a safe, which Costell said was something she didn’t have.
Seconds later, Costell said the man went behind the counter.
"He just leaned over me and stuck a knife over my neck and started taking the money," said Costell. "And I looked up at him with his eyes and said, ‘Honey, you don’t want to stab me for $100.'"
But before the man left, Costell said she shared a few words with him.
"If you need help, let’s help you," said Costell. "I said 'you’re a young man, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you, what’s your mother going to think about this.'"
It's not something out of the ordinary for Costell to say. She was recently named the local “Food Hero” by the Summit County Food Coalition. An honor given to a someone who has made an impact on the food system in the area and has been recognized as a community activist.
"I would have fed him, given him food."
Costell said she would have even offered him a job. It's something Costell said she's done for others looking for help.
While Costell said she'll be looking into added security measures, she has no plans to leave.
"I refuse to live in fear," said Costell. "This is my town."
Akron police are investigating the robbery.