Stores in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center remained open after a car knocked a support beam off of the building’s foundation around 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.

A silver BMW collated with a support post in front of Wildberry Yogurt, which was closed at the time. 

“We had a vehicle that accidentally ran into one of the support posts that held up the roof line which knocked it out of its brackets connecting the post to the foundation,” said Battalion Chief Matt Menard. 

“We had to put some shoring to replace that support,” he added. 

Menlo Park Building Inspector Dan Pease inspected the building and determined that immediate repairs are required although the building appears structurally sound, a “red tag” notice said. The notice said that no one can enter Wild Berry’s main entrance or cross the yellow caution tape until a structural engineer examines the building and designs a permanent fix. 

Wild Berry was able to open since customers can use the side entrance. 

While Menlo Park Fire Crews were assessing the damage, sandwich shop Eric’s Gourmet Food and Catering closed its front entrance and asked customers to use the side entrance. 

“[The firefighters] came in and told us that everything is fine and they won’t evacuate the building. They just said to close the front door since they are working over there,” said Eric’s Gourmet employee Michael Aderal.

“Overall, everything’s good and no one got hurt, which is great,” Aderal added. 

Aderal said one of his customers helped the woman who was driving the car get out of the vehicle and she said she mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake. 

The car appeared to have very minor cosmetic damage and was able to drive after the accident.   

Menlo Park Police spokesperson Nicole Acker was not immediately available to comment.