RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Yemeni American business owners in Richmond continue to call for a meeting with Mayor Danny Avula, as the city prepares to resume its crackdown on illegal vape shops. It comes after the cancellation of a planned sit-down that would've taken place on Monday, March 24. The Ye meni American Association of Virginia was scheduled to meet with Avula to discuss Operation Vaporize, a city initiative that has led to the closure of dozens of vape and convenience stores. The group says their businesses have been unfairly targeted and fears additional enforcement when the operation continues next week. “It’s been tough. It’s been tough mentally, financially…” said Asaed Alshami, owner of North Ave Tobacco. Speaking inside his shop, which has been closed for months, Alshami said the crackdown has created significant hardship. “Just not being able to pay the mortgage on time, just having to find out who I can borrow money from to, you know, keep up with the bills,” he said. Asaed Alshami sorts through permits inside of his closed vape shop. (Photo: 8News) Alshami said his store, which had operated for six years, was among 47 vape shops forced to close in December as part of the citywide effort. While officials have said the crackdown is aimed at regulating shops operating illegally, Alshami said his business had only minor permitting issues that did not warrant closure. “It was just sort of like they had in their mind that this business was going to be closed, even though I have the proper documentation, and if there was anything that they need to fix, there was no grant of time where I can fix those things that caused me to close down,” he said. Dean Alasaad, president of the Yemeni American Association of Virginia, said many in the community fear losing their livelihoods. “They all terrified because if they convenience store closed and this is their livelihood, then where are they going to go?” Alasaad said. After previous discussions with city officials, Alasaad said the group of 150 wanted to meet with the mayor, but was told that the Mayor's office would only accommodate up to eight people. "I talked to my people, the 150 people affected by the closure, and they said if we cannot all get together to be in the meeting, let's have a representation that will be there [to speak] for us and our concerns," Alasaad said. Alasaad said shortly after the group's attorney sent a letter to the Mayor's office, they learned the meeting would be cancelled. The Mayor's office sent 8News the following statement in response to the cancellation: "The Mayor’s office and Planning and Development Review (PDR) met with the association on January 12th, and there was also a follow up meeting with the association and PDR on February 23rd. The Mayor’s office worked hard to schedule another follow-up meeting at a time that worked for both the shop owners and the Mayor, and we were pleased to have it on the books. We would have welcomed that conversation. However, after receiving a communication from their attorney, the meeting was cancelled. All City services to help them resolve their issues continue to remain available to them." Alasaad said he didn't understand why having legal representation led to a cancelled meeting. “He’s saying that now because we hired a lawyer, he doesn’t want to meet with us," Alasaad said. "He turned his back on us.” The mayor’s office also confirmed that Operation Vaporize will resume its work on April 1. ...read more read less