Coffee shop faces backlash, DOJ investigation after banning Rep. Dan Goldman
A Park Slope coffee shop is facing community backlash after publicly banning Rep. Dan Goldman, citing his stance on Israel in a social media post that has since been deleted.
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A Park Slope coffee shop is facing community backlash after publicly banning Rep. Dan Goldman, citing his stance on Israel in a social media post that has since been deleted.
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into whether the post qualifies as discrimination against a protected class.
Poetica Coffee posted a still image from surveillance footage showing Goldman entering its Seventh Avenue location and buying a coffee. Goldman said he stopped in because his daughter needed to use the restroom. The caption on the post read, “At Poetica, we do not serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between,” and told the congressman not to return. The post referenced his support for Israel.
In a statement to News 12, Rep. Goldman wrote, "It was really disappointing because it went from such a nice, typical true New York interaction from two people from different backgrounds expressing kindness. And then all of a sudden, to see the hate and the vitriol. That was really startling."
"The rise in anti-Semitism is scary for a lot of people. Everybody is justified in objecting and opposing policies or governments. But when you start to use dog whistles and wedges and are unwilling to have conversations, the hate is normalized. And that's what I'm really scared of right now," he added.
The message drew swift criticism from residents in the area.
“Now I know where hate is served in Park Slope, and it is very sad,” said resident Bennet Kleinberg.
"This is something that is now just being treated as normal, and not the first time," he said, drawing a parallel between the incident and the targeting of a nearby Israeli restaurant with antisemitic rhetoric.
“We all care about the humanity of Palestinians and Israelis. We want there to be peace in the Middle East,” said resident Jennifer Falk. “You are not going to solve those problems by becoming a keyboard activist and trying to shame people while they are purchasing coffees in Park Slope, Brooklyn.”
Despite the online controversy, the shop appeared calm on Thursday, with customers continuing to walk in and out. Some told News 12 they support the coffee but not the comments.
“I have mixed reaction. I shop here often, the people are friendly,” said Mark, a Park Slope resident. “Their website talks about dignity for all people. I think their posts fall short of that mission statement.”
The shop sits directly across from a polling site where Goldman and Comptroller Brad Lander appeared on the ballot. Lander condemned the post, though some residents told News 12 they felt his response did not go far enough and believe the incident could influence voters.
“I know for a fact I spoke with people who had heard of this incident and were going to change the direction of their vote,” Kleinberg said.
Many also praised Goldman's response to the post, where he praised the barista for her gracious attitude, allowing their daughter to use their restroom, and explaining that he purchased coffee as a polite gesture, adding that despite the refund he was issued, he hoped the barista would be able to keep her tip.
News 12 repeatedly attempted to contact the owner of Poetica Coffee but did not receive a response.
