Shortly after the Red Hen kicked out Sarah Huckabee Sanders, there was concern about whether the restaurant would survive after taking a strong political stance. Some stories have happy endings.
The Restaurant That Kicked Out Sarah Huckabee Sanders, One Year Later
Credit: Twitter
May 15, 2019

Remember when Sarah Huckabee Sanders was politely asked to leave a restaurant named the Red Hen in Lexington, VA? The Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington, VA is in a county called Rockbridge, which voted 62% in favor of Trump. So this is not a blue county AT ALL. But the owner said she would not serve her "for moral reasons." The shunning of SHS came shortly after separations of families and children was all over the news. The owner felt that for moral reasons, she simply could not have her at the restaurant.

Shortly after the incident, protesters were arrested for throwing feces at the restaurant and Donald Trump unleashed a twitter mob. Oh, and late night tv got in on the fun.

Owner Stephanie Wilkinson provided an update to the Washington Post - and it is GREAT news.

Ms. Wilkinson makes it clear that the driving force in her politely asking Sarah Sanders to leave was the family separation policy. She states:

"Faced with the prospect of serving a fine meal to a person whose actions in the service of our country we felt violated basic standards of humanity, we balked. We couldn’t do it."

Unfortunately, the MAGA Mob moves at the lightning speed of Red Hat Hatred and she states that:

"Within 24 hours the restaurant’s phone line was hacked, my staff and I were doxxed, and threats to our lives and families and property were pouring in through every available channel. Protesters colonized the streets around the restaurant. Thousands of fake Yelp reviews torpedoed our ratings, and dozens of people attempted to lock up our tables with reservations they had no intention of honoring. Pundits lamented the prospect of “red restaurants” and “blue restaurants.” In less than three days, President Trump had mocked us on Twitter."

But she stood strong. She kept her head up, knowing that her community would stand by her. And stand by her they did. Hate mail poured in, but letters of support also rained down on her small restaurant. Reservations were made weeks in advance. Supporters sent in donations in the restaurants name "in our honor to our local food pantry, our domestic violence shelter and first responders."

She reports that after a year, business is still great. She ends with this powerful last thought:

And to everyone who might be fearful about taking a stand, I say don’t be. Resistance is not futile, for you or your business.

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