A once-beloved New Jersey restaurant finds itself at the center of a heated controversy after implementing a divisive policy that bans children under ten, sparking intense debates about family values and parenting in today’s society.
The well-known New Jersey restaurant has ignited a firestorm of debate by choosing to abandon its family-friendly status. This contentious decision by Nettie’s in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, has infuriated many people and quickly gained traction on social media platforms.
On February 9, 2023, Nettie’s House of Spaghetti, which boasts a Facebook following of over eighty thousand, announced their new policy banning children starting March 8, 2023.
In their Facebook post, the restaurant explained:
“We love kids. We really, truly, do. But lately, it’s been extremely challenging to accommodate children at Nettie’s. Between noise levels, lack of space for highchairs, cleaning up crazy messes, and the liability of kids running around the restaurant, we have decided that it’s time to take control of the situation…As of March 8, the day we return from our winter break, we will no longer allow children under 10 to dine in the restaurant.”
The controversial policy has sparked intense discussions among parents and those who enjoy dining with children at restaurants.
Many devoted patrons expressed their outrage at Nettie’s House of Spaghetti for barring children from their establishment. Heated reactions flooded the comments section of their Facebook post, with one individual remarking, “Since you forgot – we were all children once. Why not ask the non-supervising parents to leave instead of punishing an entire class of patrons? A fatal business decision.”
Other customers made it clear they would be taking their business elsewhere, with one social media user commenting, “This won’t work well for you. I liked your restaurant…I enjoyed seeing kids there with their parents. I won’t be going to your establishment anymore.”
In the wake of the announcement, Nettie’s has received numerous one-star reviews, with one person stating, “The restaurant is starting a new policy of banning kids under ten years old in March. Very discriminating.”
However, not everyone is opposed to the idea of a restaurant without children.
One supporter of the decision shared, “Fantastic idea… having worked in the industry since I was 14, I’ve never seen anything as I have in the recent past. Kids are out of control, and most parents are oblivious. The disregard for manners and common decency is unreal…Good for you for taking a stand.”
Source: AWM