COEUR d'ALENE - For two years, Mary Hayes operated Nina Mary's Authentic Mexican American Food stand on Spokane Avenue just off Fourth Street.

For two years, no real problems. Nothing but serving hot, tasty dishes to loyal clients come summer, fall, winter or spring.

But Friday afternoon, a locksmith was visiting. Time for new locks after someone stole an envelope of cash that was earmarked to pay the propane bill.

"For somebody to do that, it's terrible," she said.

Hayes arrived for work Friday morning, opened the door and quickly saw that the cash register was moved.

"Somebody's been in here," she thought.

Then, she saw the change inside was gone, and an envelop of cash needed to pay her propane bill was also missing.

Hayes was crushed. She said she rarely leaves money in the stand overnight. Someone pulled open the window cover, pushed aside a screen, and reached inside for the register. They did not enter the stand.

She believes she forgot to lock the window cover.

"I know some of the other vendors in the area," she said. "I'm hoping it's not just people vandalizing the food trailers again."

Hayes said it is a blow financially. She declined to say how much cash was taken, but said it was substantial. Her stand does well enough to pay the bills and come away with a small living, she said.

"We struggle to make ends meet," she said. "I don't even get a paycheck myself."

She was surprised her stand was targeted because it's just off Fourth Street in a high-traffic location.

"Look at it, I'm in the open. Cars are going by constantly," she said Friday afternoon.

Hayes has been a lover of Mexican and American cuisine since the days she was a little girl and would stand on a chair while her grandmother taught her to cook and let her add spices and stir the pot.

She takes pride in her craft.

"This is my food, I know I'm a good cook," she said.

Hayes worked at Shari's restaurant for 15 years and IHOP before opening her own stand. She used her savings to start Nina Mary's Authentic Mexican American food stand in February 2010.

It has been a one-woman show since.

"I can't afford help," she said.

She didn't really have extra money for locks either, but can't afford another break-in. And she promises no cash will be left in the register, either.