Langdon bar bullied into ditching proof of vaccination

A Calgary-area bar owner says abusive patrons opposed to COVID-19 vaccine passports have forced him to halt dine-in services.

Greg Thompson said threats and bullying directed at him and staff led him to abandon plans for regular operations at his Langdon Firehouse Bar & Grill in the town just east of Calgary.

He said his choice to screen customers for vaccination status under the Restrictions Exemption Program that went into effect Monday led to withering abuse that left their physical safety in doubt.

“This past weekend we were overwhelmed with threats and bullying, both in person and online. This was directed to the ownership group and the staff,” Thompson posted to Facebook on Monday. “We feel the safety of ourselves and our staff is at risk!”

Beginning Tuesday, the bar will revert to takeout service only after announcing Friday it would adopt the vaccine passport program to operate virtually without restrictions.

Thompson said his decision was to ensure the survival of his business and the public's safety — intentions that don't deserve the hateful backlash.

“We have stayed in constant contact with the community and done everything we possibly can to not pick a side. We have always tried to do what is right for the community, our staff and this business,” he stated.

On Tuesday, Thompson said: “Moving ahead, we feel that we have addressed most of our concerns but still need to address security to ensure the safety of our staff and patrons.”

Since he made the decision, which he says is temporary, Thompson said he's heard from other bars and restaurants fending off similar onslaughts.

“This is not just a personal attack on the Firehouse, it's on the whole industry,” he added.

Calgary pub owner Ernie Tsu also said vitriol is widespread in the industry and that his own business hasn't been immune.

“Of course we receive them daily,” said an angry Tsu, president of the Alberta Hospitality Association and owner of Trolley 5 Community Brewpub. After the financial and psychological toll suffered by his industry during the pandemic, he said the bullying is particularly unacceptable, but called it a byproduct of the province's refusal to mandate vaccine passports, which leaves critics to target businesses, he said.

“I will not stand by and see any more people lost to mentalhealth issues losing everything they own, having to close their businesses,” he said. “People should be going after their MLAS, not their local neighbours … we just need to remind Albertans that it is either do the REP or close our doors.”

The owner of Dickens Pub echoed those sentiments, saying “the government has approached this in typical UCP style — backwards.”

Chris Hewitt said when he decided to require proof of vaccine three weeks ago, it was greeted with a torrent of online and phone bullying.

“The vast majority of our customers were delighted, but that vocal minority can be very vicious — it's unbelievable how harsh they can be,” he said, adding anger at the door has been minimal. But he said that's since tailed off, adding with the vast majority of businesses opting for the vaccine passport program, there's strength in numbers that'll discourage the abuse.

The Calgary Police Service said it hasn't received any complaints about harassment from businesses.