Alchemist & Barrister's Marketing Email Featuring Bombing Suspect Offends Patrons

Princeton, NJ -- A survivor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center was appalled when she opened an email last week sent by Princeton's popular Alchemist & Barrister bar and restaurant.

The marketing email included an image of Ahmad Khan Rahami, the suspect in bombings in New York City and New Jersey earlier this month.

In the picture, the photo of Rahami issued by police to media outlets is seen on one side saying, “I’m very frustrated lately. Friends say ‘Meet at A&B!’ I go to one bar and they go to other. Back n forth all nite. I call next day, say ‘where you were last night?’ They say A&B of course! Ugh!!!”

Next to that is an image of police officers in riot gear saying, “Can you believe that fool? Everyone knows the one side is now called the Alchemist Bar and the other side is the Barrister Pub!” The other officer says “And the new signs look great!”

The email was sent out to a distribution list via Constant Contact, and appears to have gone out within hours of Rahami being captured.

The marketing email was extremely offensive to Pavelac, who says she's "never setting foot back in there again."

Alcehmist & Barrister Office Manager Thomas Yermack said the restaurant often pairs current events with promotional material from the restaurant. In an email to Patch Wednesday morning, Yermack compared the material to late night talk show humor.

"While this may offend a few people, we have found that the vast majority of the people who read the newsletter actually enjoy it," Yermack said. "In a world that is overly politically correct sometimes it is refreshing to inject some humor. ... There is no hate or prejudice in our newsletter, simply current events with humorous speech bubbles."

Pavelec said she called the bar within hours of receiving the email and left a message letting the owners know how she felt. Her husband said they called while she was out, but didn’t leave a message. They also never called back, and never responded to an email from her husband.

Yermack countered by saying that when he called the house phone, he did leave a message, and apologized for inadvertently offending them.

Pavelec said she told her friends and posted about it on Facebook. She said everyone she told had the same reaction she did.

Pavelec worked for the Port Authority on Sept. 11 and said she was in the World Trade Center when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, 12 stories above her head.

“I made it out by the skin of my teeth,” she said.

She added that 84 people with the Port Authority died that died, including one person from Princeton.
“Terrorism isn’t funny on any level,” Pavelec said. “I am appalled.”

According to its website, The Alchemist & Barrister, located at 28 Witherspoon Street, has been referred to as the Cheers of Princeton, and has been among the town’s favorite landmarks for more than 25 years.

The pub opened on Jan. 1, 1974.

Pavelec said she used to enjoy going there, but won’t be going back unless the owners offer a good explanation.

“I find it mind boggling,” Pavelec said, adding that she initially thought their email may have been hacked, but a second email that came out a day later featuring presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump led her to believe otherwise.

Pavelec said the piece involving Clinton and Trump wasn't as bad, but reiterated that the email involving Rahami wasn't funny.

“It’s really just appalling," Pavelec said. "It made me angry, and I’m not one to sit back and let it go by.”

What do you think? Do you think the email is funny, or are you also offended? Let us know by leaving a comment.