Why Is it Against Store Policy To Buy Unhoused Person Coffee?

A woman, @superheroeveryday2, has been blocked from buying an unhoused person a cup of coffee at a cafe called The Copper Moon in Cleveland, Ohio. The incident took place when the woman was entering the cafe and was approached by a man who appeared to be unhoused. The woman asked the worker whether it was for her or the man standing outside. The employee responded that providing food for unhoused people would cause a problem for employees and other customers, as both could be harassed by people outside.

The TikToker shared the alleged details in both the caption of the video and a follow-up video posted later. She said that when she was placing her order, she was asked whether it was for her or the man standing outside. She told the worker the order was for her and then questioned whether it would be a problem if she was buying an item for the unhoused person. The interaction in the video took place when the employee said “If somebody wants to buy a homeless person something, you guys don’t—” she starts.

The employee seemingly explains that providing food for unhoused people would cause a problem for employees and other customers. He says both could be harassed by people outside. The TikToker wrote in the caption that she didn’t feel harrassed, but the employee said “im sure you don’t but othersssss do.” The cafe responded in a follow-up post, which appears to claim that the lady steals the barista’s tips and defecates on the sidewalk. However, this would seem to conflict with the TikToker’s version of events, as she states that the person who asked her for a coffee was a man, not a woman.

In a TikTok direct message exchange with the Daily Dot, the TikToker emphasized that she is not trying to “ruin” the business in question and that she has not heard from the business directly since posting the video. She clarified the statements she says the employee made, stating that the policy was never the issue—he never greeted me with hello good morning.

In the comments section, users shared their thoughts on this apparent policy and the employee’s way of conveying it. Some users understood the food industry but also expressed their dissatisfaction with the policy and the way it was conveyed.

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