An Arkansas restaurant defended its decision to ask Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave its eatery, even after she accused the owner of forcing her out because employees felt “threatened.”
Owners of the Little Rock-based restaurant, The Croissanterie, said they were placed in a difficult position when Sanders made a surprise visit on March 13 with two other women and the Arkansas Police Executive Protection Detail.
“Allowing her to stay risked being perceived as a lack of support for the community that makes up the majority of our team, as well as their families and friends. Conversely, asking her to leave could be viewed as denying service based on differing beliefs,” The Croissanterie owners said in a statement, obtained by THV11.
Ultimately, the restaurant owners allowed Sanders to finish her meal before passing a message to a member of her security detail “to encourage the governor to conclude her visit.” They said they passed another message 30 minutes later to remind her.
But Sanders said in a Thursday statement that the restaurant owners said her presence “made their employees feel threatened.” She later recalled to The Daily Wire that a group in the restaurant shouted at her “It’s time to leave” and gave her the middle finger.
“Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant didn’t meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down,” wrote Sanders, the daughter of Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and the current U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
The Croissanterie admitted an individual “made an inappropriate hand gesture,” but said it was a customer, not an employee – and they addressed the matter. They also denied suggestions that patrons applauded or disrupted Sanders.
Owners said in the statement obtained by THV11 that they didn’t recall “any statement indicating that anyone felt threatened.”
The Independent has asked Sanders’ office and The Croissanterie for comment.
Sanders’ office told Fox News Digital that she had been seated at the restaurant for roughly an hour and 15 minutes and had already paid when she was asked to leave.
The Croissanterie owners said they chose to “encourage” Sanders to leave because they made the decision “to support our employees and guests who expressed they were uncomfortable.”
“We regret being placed in this position and having to make a difficult decision. However, we stand by our choice to support our employees and guests,” the owners said.
