After Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ ouster, questions arise over small businesses’ political stands

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | July 1, 2018 | Mae Anderson, The Associated Press

[2ndDivisionVet]

Taking a political stand — like asking a White House press secretary to leave your restaurant — can be polarizing and risky. So experts say an owner who decides to act should do so with forethought and civility.

The Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia, has become internationally famous since ousting Sarah Huckabee Sanders over last weekend. The owner had consulted with employees, who said Ms. Sanders made them feel uncomfortable. It was an on-the-spot decision, and led to condemnation by President Donald Trump, an onslaught of negative Yelp reviews and global media coverage.

Under federal law, restaurants and other businesses can not discriminate based on age, race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, disability, pregnancy or veteran status. But other issues are fair game (thus the sign “No shoes, no shirt, no service"). Whether it’s worth it is another matter....

[RetiredTexasVet]

I’m sure that the Red Hen can survive on politically correct Progressive customers. /s/

[RetiredTexasVet]

Any business owner who would do such a thing must be a fool.

[randita]

Personally, I think it was short sighted and rude for the Red Hen to refuse service to Sanders and her family, but not illegal.

Personally also, I would not want to eat at a restaurant that didn’t want to serve me. Anyone who handles the food you ordered could taint it.

[bgill]

They already admitted the cook and employees were homosexuals so that played into their Trump hate.

Here’s an wacky idea. How about treating customers well so they will be return customers and you’ll have a job to come back to.

[savedbygrace]

I agree

[trebb]

The owner had consulted with employees, who said Ms. Sanders made them feel uncomfortable.

And they claim that the label "Snowflake" is bad for their mental health....