A dress-code restaurant fired two managers after a video showed employees refusing service to a woman of color and her son because the boy was wearing a casual outfit.
9-year-old Dallas Greene made headlines after the Ouzo Boy restaurant in Baltimore turned him away even though another boy was dining in a very similar outfit.
The Atlas Restaurant Group, which owns Ouzo Bay, released a statement and said they ‘launched an assertive internal investigation’ which resulted in the termination of two managers.
“They have been separated from and are no longer with the organization. To reiterate, there is a level of sensitivity, discretion, and customer service we expect from our managers and all who represent the Atlas brand,” the company added.
The statement also followed an initial apology from the company over the incident.
Marcia Grant and her son, Dallas, appeared on Good Morning America to talk about the incident.
“I kept on insisting that the white kid has on the same thing that Dallas has on, so why won’t you let us in? He [the employee] just would not, regardless of how hard I pushed,” Marcia said while fighting back her tears.
The viral video, which shows Dallas being turned away from the restaurant even though another boy was seen dining in a similar attire, made its way to Hollywood and got the attention of Gabrielle Union.
“Rules, laws, dress codes, voting, education, jobs, housing and on and on and on… and folks swear its all in our minds,” she tweeted.
One internet user wrote: “The eatery has responded to this in a sensible manner, by changing their dress code and firing the managers. I hope they also have some more staff training for the front of house staff.”
Another wrote: “Great decision. Firstly it was a kid. Inform the mom of the dress code and move on. Secondly a good manager would recognize that the pr would be a nightmare.”
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Replaced!