The owner of Dallas hotspot True Kitchen + Kocktails says business is booming after his anti-twerking rant went viral earlier this week.
In an interview with TMZ, Kevin Kelley says the restaurant, which has only taken reservations since it opened five months ago, is booked up for the foreseeable future. “I’m glad the public has had a chance to decide what they do and don’t want in their restaurants,” he told the outlet. “The effect on our restaurant has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve received an outpouring of support that we did not anticipate online and in person.”
The owner added, “This lets us know the public believes in our vision for the restaurant and they will support a concept working to fill a void in our communities.”
On Sunday (Nov. 29), Kelley was filmed going off on customers who were continuing to twerk and stand on the restaurant’s furniture during their dining experience. “I invested a lot of money into buying this building, into developing this concept, so that Black people can have somewhere nice to go to, OK?” he said. “Somewhere where our people can feel good about themselves as a culture. Real talk. And so all this twerking and shit, take it to Prime, take it to Pink. Don’t bring it here because we’re a restaurant.”
Kelley then told the patrons to leave his establishment if they wanted to dance inappropriately. “If you guys wanna do it, get the fuck out my restaurant because I did it for our people and I did it for our culture,” the owner continued. “So, don’t do it again. I don’t want to hear it again. If you don’t like it, get out because I don’t need your money. I need to provide something for my people. So, don’t do it again.”
The video caused mixed reactions from people on social media. NFL player Dez Bryant offered his support for Kelley and how he handled the incident. “Keep the standards high for the Black community,” he tweeted. “We have to work 10x harder to get the respect from our own people, so I don’t blame you for your actions ..what’s sad..he had to tell them multiple times before he acted out in rage.. I don’t blame you.. respect his shit @TrueKK_.”