Parents Infuriated By Fine-Dining Restaurant's Ban On 'Screaming' Children
Lobster Pound and Moore, a fine-dining restaurant in Nova Scotia, did not quite know what it was getting itself into when it attempted to ban unruly children from the restaurant this week. Local parents were outraged, and the restaurant's Facebook page was inundated with so many complaints that the owners recanted and apologized for the offense, but now other customers are urging the owner to keep the ban in place.
According to Yahoo Parenting, owner Richard Moore took to Facebook last Sunday after he became frustrated by poorly behaved children ruining things for other patrons at his restaurant. He posted a message to the effect, writing that loud or rambunctious children would no longer be welcome.
"Effective as of now, we will no longer allow small screaming children," Moore wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page in a since-deleted post. "We are an adult themed restaurant that caters to those who enjoy food and are out to enjoy themselves. We understand this may upset some, but after careful consideration, we feel it's best for those who enjoy, appreciate and understand our business."
Moore said he understood some people might be upset, but it seems like he was unprepared for just how extreme the fallout would be. By Monday, the post was deleted and replaced by an apology.
"I chose the wrong words to convey a message I didn't want," he wrote in the apology. "I love kids and would have them if I could. I shouldn't have used the word 'screaming' but should have said something like, 'Lil' diners having a moment.'"
Other commenters, though, applauded the initial post and told Moore not to back down. Moore has been allowing children, and says that the recent fuss has made some parents more appreciative of how a misbehaving child can bother other diners.
"Customers are asking me, Are we still welcome?" Moore told Yahoo Parenting. "And I have to tell them, absolutely, but if little Spencer loses his cool, please take him out to the porch."