Students Raise Support of UConn Restaurant Employees

UConn students are stepping up to the plate in support of the Union Street Market employees who endured a profanity laced tirade from a student desperate for the market’s bacon, jalapeño mac ‘n’ cheese.

It seems that two students organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to to buy a gift certificate to treat the market workers to dinner at Geno’s Grille in Storrs Center.

Student Sadie Rumsey wrote, “Our idea is to say thank you to the Employees of the Union Street Market by getting a gift certificate to send as many of them as we can for a nice night out at Geno’s Grille. The USM employees made us all proud that night and captured what it means to be a Husky.” Rumsey, from Exeter, RI, is organizing the campaign with Olivia Korte.

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Rumsey wrote of the extreme restraint displayed by the market’s manager who was insulted, called profane names, poked and shoved by a 19-year-old student who was distraught he was refused service after being caught bringing an alcoholic beverage into the eatery on Oct. 4. Students videotaped the nine-minute incident that ended with the arrest of Kyle Gatti of Bayville, NY, and it became an overnight viral sensation.

The GoFundMe organizers hoped to raise $1,000. As of Monday afternoon, they had raised $1,921.

The GoFundMe campaign can be found here.

Related stories:

• UConn Student Causes Scene Over Mac ‘n’ Cheese: WATCH
• Restaurant Looks to Make Money from UConn Mac ‘n’ Cheese Student Tirade