Allie’s Donuts, a donut shop located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is now being fully operated and staffed full-time by owner Matt Drescher after employees began to receive threats following the store’s announcement that they would no longer offer discounts to police officers.
Drescher shared the news in an Instagram video, where he explained he is now the only one working in the store due to concerns for employee safety. He also explained the abusive comments online came after Drescher made it clear he and his business are against police brutality and systemic racism in the criminal justice system. He said, “Due to all of the unfortunate threats that we’ve gotten and just the climate that it is, a lot of the employees don’t feel safe working here right now,” he continued, “I respect their choice, and they’re safe at home. Nothing has happened to their job. I’m here right now, have the mixes on the table and I’m going to make as many [donuts] as I can.”
The police and military discount is just 10 percent, but the firm stance in solidarity with police brutality victims seemed to have upset many customers.
The company had already previously aligned itself with Black Lives Matter activists, writing in an Instagram post, “We’re fed up. Until local police take action to solve problems with racism and injustice, Allie’s Donuts will choose to stand with the people of our great state.”
