Both CVS stores on campus and at least three shops bordering campus covered up their doors and windows in anticipation of protests on or following Election Day.

The CVS on Pennsylvania Avenue covered its glass front entrance with plywood and the CVS on E Street, which someone reportedly broke into in August, barricaded the front of the store, leaving just the door uncovered. At least three other shops on Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street — which borders campus — boarded up on or in the days leading up to Election Day.

The U.S. Postal Service, Peet’s Coffee and Potbelly on Pennsylvania Avenue all boarded up by Election Day. Plywood blocked the windows and doors on each of the buildings, but the businesses all remained open. Peet’s and Potbelly taped banners reading “We’re open” onto the boards next to the door.

At a public safety meeting last week, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto asked D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser if she recommended business board up their shopfronts in anticipation of protests, but Bowser said she advised against doing so unless District officials raised concerns about threats or recommended the safety precaution.