Businesses (at least in Denver) were boarded up months before the riots. It's about the property being unattended, plywood is quick and easy to put up as well

Businesses (at least in Denver) were boarded up months before the riots. It's about the property being unattended, plywood is quick and easy to put up as well as take down when the employees are back. I agree that they shouldn't be used to imply the business is permanently closed. The effect in the photos is still pretty striking.