"Many restaurants are trying to be as neutral as possible, but some (on both sides) don't seem to care [about neutrality]. Their take on it is that they don't want customers that lean in a direction they don't agree with anyway."
"One such restaurant, the Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, takes such pride in its MAGA beliefs that the owners made headlines at the end of last year for offering a month of free beer to any guests who could prove that they provided tips to Immigration and Customs Enforcement that resulted in the deportation of an undocumented immigrant."
"On the flip side, Modern Times Cafe in Minneapolis spent Jan. 31 (the day of the ICE Out protests) offering free food and drink to protesters, rebranding as 'Post Modern Times Cafe,' and announcing its intention to provide a 'daily special' of a free meal to anyone in need until ICE leaves Minnesota."
Hospitality businesses traditionally maintained political neutrality to avoid alienating customers in a low-margin industry. However, recent political turmoil has prompted many restaurants and bars to take explicit political positions. Some establishments, like Old State Saloon in Idaho, openly support conservative causes, while others like Modern Times Cafe in Minneapolis actively support progressive causes. Social media enables customers to identify businesses' political leanings. Hospitality consultants note that some business owners deliberately reject neutrality, preferring to serve customers aligned with their values rather than maintain broad appeal. This shift reflects changing customer expectations and willingness to support businesses that match their political beliefs.
#political-polarization #hospitality-industry #business-activism #customer-loyalty #social-media-influence
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