Controversy Erupts Over Arkansas Governor's Restaurant Visit

Incident at The Croissanterie

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas reported that she was asked to leave The Croissanterie in Little Rock during a lunch visit with two companions, a claim that the restaurant disputes. According to the governor's office, Sanders dined at the establishment on March 13, accompanied by her State Police Executive Protection Detail. After being seated for over an hour and fifteen minutes, with the bill already settled, she alleged that the owner approached a member of her security team and requested her departure. Sanders claimed this request stemmed from her political views allegedly making staff feel “threatened and uncomfortable.” As she exited, her team reported that a patron shouted, “it’s time to go,” while making an inappropriate gesture, which the restaurant later clarified was from a customer, not an employee.

In her remarks, Sanders expressed disappointment, stating, “Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesn't meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate.”

Restaurant's Perspective

The Croissanterie expressed surprise and uncertainty regarding how to handle the situation once they recognized the governor's presence. They noted that she was already seated and dining when they entered the room and opted not to interrupt her meal. As her presence and that of her security detail became more apparent, questions arose among employees and patrons about their continued presence. The restaurant found itself in a challenging position, as allowing her to remain could be interpreted as a lack of support for the community, while asking her to leave might seem like a denial of service based on differing beliefs.

The establishment denied any claims of employees feeling “threatened,” stating they did not recall such comments. According to their account, about an hour into the meal, a staff member discreetly approached a member of the security detail, requesting that the governor be encouraged to leave after finishing her meal. Nearly 30 minutes later, the group was still present. With a 90-minute table limit, the security detail was approached again and informed that only about 10 minutes remained. The restaurant indicated that a message was sent to the governor after the initial request, which went unnoticed at the time. Once received, Sanders and her party departed without further incident. The restaurant emphasized that there was no applause or disruption, and many guests were unaware of the unfolding situation. They reiterated that the individual who made the inappropriate gesture was a customer and that the issue had been addressed. “We regret being placed in this position and having to make a difficult decision,” the statement concluded. “However, we stand by our choice to support our employees and guests.”