The owners of East Frank Superette and Kitchen have filed a lawsuit to protect their reputation after months of threats over a drag show hosted by the restaurant.
“We started the drag show to give people around here something to do. It's different. That doesn't happen in Union County,” East Frank co-owner Robert Huffman said. He said this in an interview with WBTV. “We were allowing parents to bring their children because we didn't think it was obscene or anything wrong.”
In December, a group of Union County residents sued the store after its social media pages posted photoshopped photos of protesters outside the store's “all-ages drag show.” . The original image featured two white blonde women holding placards suggesting drag shows were predatory, but the hateful messages were blocked by East Frank's social media pages. was comically altered and replaced with text endorsing the $5 Big Burrito. This initial lawsuit from a small number of residents cites the Lanham Act, a federal trademark law that prohibits false or misleading representations in advertising, stating that East Frank's posts, including photoshopped images, were unauthorized and misleading. He claimed that it was an invitation.
“Their images are being used, without their consent, to promote a company that is doing what they are actually against,” said the group Freedom for Freedom, which is supporting the seven East Frank residents' lawsuit. Peter Barwick of the Coalition for
East Frank's countersuit was filed last week, alleging that the original suit was defamatory and caused damage to the restaurant's reputation.
“Sue them again immediately,” East Frank co-owner Carly Englander said. “They not only affect our business, but also put us in a dangerous situation. We are countersuing not only for defamation, but also for what defamation entails.”
Owners have told multiple media outlets that they and their staff have been called “pedophiles” and “groomers” and have received numerous death threats. Mr Englander said it had been overwhelming and at times frightening for his staff.
“We have received death threats and violent threats via email and Facebook comments. Another local business in town has incited people to hunt down LGBTQ and people in the LGBTQ-supporting community. You could say I let him go to 'drugs,''' Englander told WBTV. “As a family, we have children and we don't want them to go through this.”
Huffman added that his clients were filmed without permission by protesters, and performers were mocked and threatened.
East Frank's Facebook page has a post dated April 13 discussing the lawsuit. It is written as follows:
“We refuse to let bigotry dictate our actions, so we not only defend ourselves from these ridiculous claims, but also protect ourselves from the inherent dangers caused by their homophobic rhetoric. We are also filing a countersuit emphasizing discrimination and harm.” [and] belief. This legal battle is more than just a lawsuit. It opposes hatred and advocates inclusivity and equality for all people. We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a workplace and society where diversity is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. ”
Comments under the post were overwhelmingly supportive, with residents from all over Union County voicing their support for the restaurant. One commenter even said he was planning on starting going to the restaurant just to support the effort to fight the first lawsuit.
One comment read: “I saw your coverage on the news about this.” “My husband and I and all of our friends are new customers because of this!!!” Can't wait to see you all!!!
Englander told Qnotes in an April 17 phone call that she and Huffman are grateful for the support the community has given them, not just in recent months, but since their first drag show.
“We wouldn't be where we are today without the support of our community,” Englander said. “We are so grateful for everyone who supports us and our mission to spread kindness and inclusion.”
East Frank's owners have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover costs related to legal fees. Check it out here or by visiting his Facebook page for the restaurant: https://www.facebook.com/eastfranksuperette.
