jmelvin
Founder's Club Member
imported post
Back at the end of May, 2008 my girlfriend and I dined at the Carrabba's in Roanoke like we had on several other occasions and the wait and meal started out well enough just like it had the few other times we were there. In all of the times that I visited I carried my pistol in a discreet manner and never had the first issue, however this night was different. This night Jason Kroeger had recently taken over as Proprietor, which means he owns a small share in the operations of the restaurant. Jason was new from North Carolina and thought that our laws (Virginia) were similar to what he was used to in NC. As such he noticed my holstered firearm when I got up to use the restroom and met me there shortly after I entered and told me that I could not have my firearm in the restaurant.
Upon this statement I asked if this was a new policy and he informed that it was illegal to carry a firearm in a place which served alcohol. Knowing better I briefed him on the law and told him that openly carried firearms are the only way to carry in places selling alcohol for consumption in our Commonwealth, but I gladly told him that if he desired I'd cancel my order and take my business elsewhere. At this point he told me that he was new and not familiar with the laws and asked me this time if I would mind putting the gun in the car while I dined. I again pleasantly reiterated my statement that I would not put my gun in the car and dine, but I would gladly cancel my order (which had just been taken) and take my money elsewhere at his request. I then asked if he would mind checking my statements with other management (notknowing he was chief) while I returned to my seatto wait to see ifhe would allow me to dine. He agreed to this and we spoke several more timesthrough the dinner service regarding wherehe could find the applicable laws and again once he determined that my statement regarding the law was correct.
Althoughhe eventually agreed that I was correct in the law, he took the matter further and contacted his district management during the time I was thereand was told that they would rather not have armed customers in their stores, which included all of the Carrabba's in Virginia. He further asked that I not return to his establishment carrying my firearm and stated that he would put up a sign informing the public that gun carriers were not welcome in his store. I was, however,allowed to finish my dinner armed so my girlfriend and I finished and left. Since I did not have any of the VCDL's "No Guns, No Money" cards I assured Mr. Kroeger that my experience would be shared with others so that neither you all or he would be inconvenienced and further stated that I do not give my business to places that do not allow me to arm myself for protection and from then on would be giving my business to his competition instead. When I returned home that night, I sent a statement about my visit to the corporate office at www.carrabbas.com, however I never receieved a replyof any sort.
Although it has been about 2 months since that incident I just yesterday managed to get back down to Roanoke, so I thought I'd share the pictures that I captured from the front of the Roanoke Carrabba's. As you can seeJason has done an admirable job of posting his distaste forlawfulgun carriers and has provided this lovely sign in a position thatgives greater prominence to his thoughtsabout lawful gun carriers than the times that the store is actually in business to serve food. If any of you had given your business to this Carrabba's, make sure Jason Kroeger (540) 265-0961 knows that you will be taking yourmoney to his competitors because of his prohibition. It might even be worth your while to let the corporate offices know that you'll be giving your business to their competitors as well. Enjoy the pictures.
Back at the end of May, 2008 my girlfriend and I dined at the Carrabba's in Roanoke like we had on several other occasions and the wait and meal started out well enough just like it had the few other times we were there. In all of the times that I visited I carried my pistol in a discreet manner and never had the first issue, however this night was different. This night Jason Kroeger had recently taken over as Proprietor, which means he owns a small share in the operations of the restaurant. Jason was new from North Carolina and thought that our laws (Virginia) were similar to what he was used to in NC. As such he noticed my holstered firearm when I got up to use the restroom and met me there shortly after I entered and told me that I could not have my firearm in the restaurant.
Upon this statement I asked if this was a new policy and he informed that it was illegal to carry a firearm in a place which served alcohol. Knowing better I briefed him on the law and told him that openly carried firearms are the only way to carry in places selling alcohol for consumption in our Commonwealth, but I gladly told him that if he desired I'd cancel my order and take my business elsewhere. At this point he told me that he was new and not familiar with the laws and asked me this time if I would mind putting the gun in the car while I dined. I again pleasantly reiterated my statement that I would not put my gun in the car and dine, but I would gladly cancel my order (which had just been taken) and take my money elsewhere at his request. I then asked if he would mind checking my statements with other management (notknowing he was chief) while I returned to my seatto wait to see ifhe would allow me to dine. He agreed to this and we spoke several more timesthrough the dinner service regarding wherehe could find the applicable laws and again once he determined that my statement regarding the law was correct.
Althoughhe eventually agreed that I was correct in the law, he took the matter further and contacted his district management during the time I was thereand was told that they would rather not have armed customers in their stores, which included all of the Carrabba's in Virginia. He further asked that I not return to his establishment carrying my firearm and stated that he would put up a sign informing the public that gun carriers were not welcome in his store. I was, however,allowed to finish my dinner armed so my girlfriend and I finished and left. Since I did not have any of the VCDL's "No Guns, No Money" cards I assured Mr. Kroeger that my experience would be shared with others so that neither you all or he would be inconvenienced and further stated that I do not give my business to places that do not allow me to arm myself for protection and from then on would be giving my business to his competition instead. When I returned home that night, I sent a statement about my visit to the corporate office at www.carrabbas.com, however I never receieved a replyof any sort.
Although it has been about 2 months since that incident I just yesterday managed to get back down to Roanoke, so I thought I'd share the pictures that I captured from the front of the Roanoke Carrabba's. As you can seeJason has done an admirable job of posting his distaste forlawfulgun carriers and has provided this lovely sign in a position thatgives greater prominence to his thoughtsabout lawful gun carriers than the times that the store is actually in business to serve food. If any of you had given your business to this Carrabba's, make sure Jason Kroeger (540) 265-0961 knows that you will be taking yourmoney to his competitors because of his prohibition. It might even be worth your while to let the corporate offices know that you'll be giving your business to their competitors as well. Enjoy the pictures.
