A tapas restaurant in New Zealand owned by a gay American couple is experiencing an unexpected moment in the spotlight after satisfied customer Alexia Black shared a heartwarming review of her experience, despite being discouraged from visiting the restaurant by a homophobic community member. In the review, which has more than 6,000 likes, Black shared that she and a group of friends visiting the small town of Greytown in the Wairarapa region were interested in visiting highly rated Saluté, but were advised against dining there by a local shopkeeper who lamented that it was owned by two gay men.
Taken aback by the bigotry, Black decided then and there to check out the restaurant and give the couple her full support. And she was not disappointed by the experience.
The “food, atmosphere and service were all fantastic,” according to Black. She also said that her group asked to speak to the manager and told him what the shopkeeper had said, noting that it was obvious the ownership had been “battling for a while and it hurt deeply.”
Now, after her post caught the attention of thousands, Saluté’s Facebook page has been inundated with positive reviews from diners intent on showing support for the gay-owned business.
In a comment responding to Black’s review, owners Ken Miller and Jason Brumbaugh said being the target of discriminating comments by the shopkeeper “hurts to the core” but that the review “started a conversation, which is all we could have hoped for.”
After the positive reviews and words of support began to pour in from other New Zealand locals, the owners took to Facebook to share their thoughts on the situation and their love for Greytown:
“Greytown is a vibrant and beautiful place where most care about the community and the citizens that live within and outside its boundaries, regardless of their differences. What is unfortunate is that bigotry and discrimination exist between the lines in all places, and the shop owner you spoke with does not know us nor has made any attempt to do so."
“Her choice and desire of trying to taint our reputation and prevent business from walking through our doors is questionable indeed and does sting. But from our perspective, it is even sadder in that it puts a negative filter on our town and the other people here who do believe in inclusivity and a place for all."
“We can say with certainty that many people in this wonderful little town have been supportive and inviting, exactly like the Kiwi experience we had when visiting prior.”
...
New Zealand is a nation of impressive and distinctive natural beauty: jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, scenic sandy beaches, and active volcanic zones. See our gay guide to New Zealand.
