I would like to address a recent event that happened between employees here at Darb’s Tavern & Eatery this past weekend. A wonderful minority employee at Darb’s was recently given a watermelon as “gift” from our employees that, while intended to be a friendly joke, was in poor taste and offensive, to say the least. Many of you have expressed your outrage over this incident, and you are right.
As owner and manager, I take full responsibility. I saw the “gift” and I didn’t stop... it. In fact, in a lapse of judgement, I also joined our employees in signing it. While I thought it was an innocent inside joke between employees who are friends, as the owner I should have recognized the inadvertent message, stepped in and stopped this behavior.
I want to thank the members of the community who have called out these incredibly insensitive actions. They do not reflect the values of our staff or the owners. We are committed to using this incredibly huge mistake as an opportunity to learn and grow. That is why all current staff members at Darb’s, myself included, will be undergoing mandatory diversity and sensitivity training.
It has been my honor to be a part of the fabric of downtown Mason for the past 38 years. We are committed to continuing that tradition and being a positive, family-owned and friendly member of the Mason community. I can only hope that I can regain the trust of my employees and customers. We will be steadfastly striving at Darb’s in the meantime to be an inclusive, welcoming and inviting place to work and dine for all.