Northern MI Restaurant Closes Early Due To Disrespectful Tourists

CHARLEVOIX, MI — A northern Michigan restaurant closed its doors early Sunday during one of its busiest times of the year after managers said too many customers were disrespecting staff.

The East Park Tavern in Charlevoix was celebrating the city's 92nd annual Venetian Festival in the downtown area when general manager Larah Moore said enough was enough.

"I'm so incredibly disappointed and embarrassed by the Fudgies we have this year," Moore said in a Facebook post. "My staff took a BEATING all week. Last night was our last straw. Too many rude comments. Too many arrogant individuals acting like they can throw money at us to get their way. Too many cocky jerks."

Moore told UpNorthLive her short-staffed crew tried to keep up with demand, but the weeklong festival finally took a toll on her workers as she posted a sign to the tavern's door, telling customers that their kitchen was closed due to the mistreatment of their servers.

"They expect a lot more out of the service industry because they're tired of hearing that we’re so short-staffed," Moore said. "They expect something when they come out to eat, and we are here to give that service to you, absolutely, 100 percent to the best of our abilities."

"I just can’t watch my staff cry or get so stressed out they’re throwing up outside," Moore added. "It’s not fair to them."

The small town's yearly weeklong festival that typically draws between 2,000 and 12,000 spectators touring the city's downtown areas.