Restaurant Bans Kids, Wins Fans

[Dave]

Most of us remember the smoking ban from a few years ago that affected all the restaurants and bars in Michigan other then those that were private clubs. In that case, there was nothing that could be done... private businesses had no say in who they could have in their place of business... and of course it was a shame and showed total disregard as to how a business person should have the ability to run a business in any manner they see fit as long as its not discriminating or breaking a law. Needless to say, I support the gentleman behind the banning of small children in his place of business. It should be noted that as long as the kids are over the age of 6 (or thereabouts as obviously you can't ask a kid for his drivers license or ID), they are welcome to dine with their folks. The owner is simply saying if you have young kids/babies that please be respectful of the other patrons and leave them at home. There are plenty of places to eat that gladly welcome all kids so one place that is going to be a finer dinning place anyway, isn't going to really make a difference in how most people decide where to eat anyway.

By KRIS MAHER

The owner of a small restaurant outside Pittsburgh is banning children under the age of 6, saying they regularly disrupted other customers' meals.

The move has touched a nerve and led to television and radio interviews from as far away as New Zealand and Australia for Mike Vuick, owner of McDain's Restaurant and Golf Center in Monroeville, Pa.

It has also sparked strong opinions among those who applaud his decision and those against it. Mr. Vuick said he had received 2,000 emails, running 11-to-1 in favor of his decision.

"I'm doing this on behalf of all the kind, refined people who have emailed me who have had meals ruined," said Mr. Vuick, a former high-school sociology and psychology teacher. "I've decided someone in our society had to dig their heels in on this issue."

One regular patron, Stephanie Kelley, said she was upset her 13-month-old son, Jamison, would no longer be welcome as of Saturday, the day the ban takes effect. She said she emailed Mr. Vuick to suggest he ban kids after a certain hour or partition off a kids-only area, but he said he wouldn't budge. "All children do not have meltdowns, and I don't feel I should have to suffer the repercussions," she said.

Ms. Kelley, who said she has dined at the restaurant weekly for the past three years, was set to bring 20 relatives, including cousins from North Carolina, there on Saturday. Now they plan to have a picnic at her home in Level Green, Pa., and she doesn't plan to eat there again.

She may be the exception. On Tuesday night, receipts at the 60-seat restaurant, which is attached to a golf-training facility with a driving range and putting greens, were up 20%. A couple from Cleveland made a reservation for this coming weekend to show their support.

Mr. Vuick's story spread after he emailed regular customers about the ban last week, and a customer phoned a local TV station.

A poll on the website of a Pittsburgh TV news channel found 64% supported the under-six ban, compared with 26% who said it was a bad idea. About 10% said they didn't care. More than 10,000 people voted.

Industry officials don't expect a stampede of similar bans. "Most restaurants embrace families and appreciate the business they bring in the door," said Patrick Conway, president and chief executive of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, which has 7,000 member restaurants. "I'm sure this policy makes sense for his restaurant."

On Wednesday, the National Restaurant Association, a separate organization, launched a "Kids Live Well" program to offer healthier menu options to children, with 15,000 restaurants participating.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304223804576444393604...

[AQUAMAN]

Interesting thread Dave, and quite on track for a lot of folks. I remember going to restaurants as a kid with my parents, it was a treat to go out, and you had to be on your best behavior to go. Otherwise, you had to be taken back to the car and go without eating. After just a few incidents like this, both my brother and I were on our best behavior, and didn't look back or cry about the affair. Kids that want to eat out in public need to all learn this lesson, and if they are too young, then keep them at home or take to another place suitable for their age group.

[Dave]

There will always be a few people that think this sort of thing is a bad idea but like I said, as long as its not a breaking any laws or discriminating any race or what have ya, the owner has every right to dictate who can eat there. In the end, people will vote simply using their feet.. if they want to eat there, they will, if they don't, they will somewhere else.

[Sweater Cows!]

I think it is fine.

[J.B]

Keeps people who want their kids go wild out of a good place to eat.    Great Idea hope more follow.

[XLFD]

I think you're looking at a type of age discrimination, which would definitely be challenged if the restaurant received public funds, which may come into play if they benefit from facade or rehabilitation grants.  Though personally, I think it is well within a private business' right to do so, where would we stop?

Would we restrict those who we feel are too fat or too old to look at from going to the beaches?

Would we restrict streets that are not engineered properly to not be ridden by bicyclists or walked by pedestrians?

Would we restrict individuals that make FOIA requests from using public facilities?  LOL 

 

[Dave]

Right on... i've heard it said that a place like Chuck E Cheese prefers that single adults not dine in their restaurants... although there is no explicit rule against it. I'd be wondering about a single person going into a Chuck E Cheese myself, just something odd about it unless for some reason they really like the pizza there.

[Willy]

I have not had any problem with children under 6. I find that most parents keep their kids under control. But it's still up to the owners as to which clientele they wish to serve.

[Max]

I think it is a great thing, and I wish more restaurants would adopt the policy.  So many times our evening out has been ruined by unruly children, with their parents apparently oblivious.  My kids are grown, but the rule for them was that if they got out of line, they were taken out immediately and if the attitude didn't change, we would all go home.  And they knew that I meant it.  Problem solved.  Overall, they were very well behaved.

[AQUAMAN]

Dittos Max, glad to have you back.................riding the bike no doubt.......lol.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

I have had a pleasant evening dining out with my wife ruined by young especially baby's ( teething pains) and such. If the parents can not realize how rude it is bringing that noise into a public place only a rule from the establishment may stop it. I feel it is the right of an establishments owner to set a mood in a place similar to the fact clubs can enforce dress codes and and grocerys can enforce no shoes, no shirt, no service rules. So there is precedent here.