Hoboken Cafe Owner Has Message For Whoever Tore Down His Pride Flag

HOBOKEN, NJ — Uncle Milton's Cafe opened in Hoboken a year and a half ago, but it's only in recent weeks that someone has torn down their pride flag — twice.

Owner Milton Canales had reported to police that someone tore down his pride flag overnight last month, and it happened again early this past Sunday.

When Canales opened the cafe — his first — in May 2022, he made it known that it was welcoming to all groups. Canales immigrated from El Salvador at age 10 and began washing dishes in restaurants to make money. He eventually ran a catering business in Long Island for 20 years, before opening his first restaurant in the mile-square city. READ MORE: 'As A Gay Latino Man, Everyone Is Welcome': New Cafe Opens In Hoboken

"We're still working with the Hoboken Police Department," Canales said in a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, thanking people who supported him and checked on him.

He also said he had a feeling the perpetrator(s) were watching his video, and he had a message for them.

"All that stuff is not going to bring me down," he said. "Although I am going to catch him. We're all working really hard to catch this idiot who's doing this."

Police are still investigating, said city spokeswoman Marilyn Baer.

Hate crimes against the LGBTQ community have been intensifying recently, said the federal government this past spring.

In August, a woman in California was shot to death by a man who had previously torn down the pride flag at her business, reports said.

Several Hoboken officials posted on social media to support Canales and condemn the crime, including Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Bhalla wrote, "Just stopped by Uncle Milton's Cafe to show my support, with a new LGBTQIA+ flag already flying outside. Can't say enough about Milton Canales and his team — they have fresh coffee along with delicious Salvadoran food, and much more."

The cafe serves a variety of beverages, homemade sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. Find out more here.