Sneakers Bistro Bacon Advertisement Removed After Woman Expresses Offense


Sneakers Bistro bacon may be a reason for some to yield or even come to a full stop at the little restaurant, but in a Vermont controversy, many say they’ll drive straight by since the owners chose getting along over advertising.

Not everyone loves bacon, and most people are aware that there are religious groups that don’t eat it. Still it has come as a shock to many to hear that the word ‘bacon’ in an advertisement was actually offensive to a woman in Vermont, leading the advertiser to take it down.

Sneakers Bistro had been receiving angry complaints on their Facebook page since acquiescing to the request to remove the sign, which read “Yield Sneakers Bacon.” The Bistro maintains that they would rather stand for peace with all residents than stand for the integrity of bacon, and many customers aren’t buying it.

On one recent photo, which depicted a plate of French toast, strawberries, and a side of bacon, a comment this morning read:

Pretty remove this picture it might often your muslim[sic] buddies

According to WPTZ, the controversy began with gardening. A city program aimed at beautification allows businesses to place signs if they work in the gardens, and Sneakers Bistro placed a pretty clever ad, suggesting that passers-by should ‘yield’ for some bacon.

However, one resident posted on Facebook to explain that she was, as a Muslim who could not eat bacon, offended by the ad, and after responding to her, the owners of Sneakers Bistro removed it.

Other customers are calling this action spineless and cowardly, accusing the store of showing a preference to Muslims, and many say they won’t do business with the shop any longer.

Sneakers Bistro had this to say about the controversy yesterday:

We are here to serve people BREAKFAST, not politics. We removed the sign that was located on public property as a gesture of respect for our diverse community. There were also concerns raised about safety. Removing it was not a difficult decision. We still love bacon. We still love eggs. Please have the political conversation elsewhere.

For some, the story is reminiscent of the North Carolina restaurant that recently took criticism first for having, then for removing, a policy that rewarded customers with a discount for public prayer. However, it’s notable that in this case, the restaurant was not likely to face any legal challenges, and chose to remove the bacon advertisement freely in order to keep peace.

As for Sneakers Bistro, their bacon controversy may have grown too hot: as of a bit before noon Eastern time, their Facebook page is no longer accessible.

photo credit: Hamburger Helper via photopin cc

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