Submitted by
George Stewart
“I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by the sign at Sliders. I’M SORRY.
I put it up because I thought it was funny. I realize now I was stupid. I am not a bigot though. I have family members, friends, employees, and guests who are gay and the sign had nothing to do with sexual preference.
It was put up as a joke because we would love to be as busy as Chick-fil-A. I take full responsibility for putting the sign up. Sometimes your intentions (boycott Chick-fil-A) backfire. I guess I found out the hard way.
To those I have offended, please forgive me for I know not what I do.
If you decide to not return to Sliders it’s my fault and I am the one paying
the price. I ask for your forgiveness and I want everyone to know I am
truly sorry.”
George Stewart
Owner of Sliders Seaside Grill
August 14, 2012 5:27 p.m.
Wow, wow, wow!!
Yesterday, I was disgusted and ashamed of Sliders, now I’ve gained new respect.
It takes a BIG person to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Good for you, George.
To paraphrase an old adage, George might want to make sure his brain is engaged before he opens his mouth… or puts stupid stuff on his restaurant marquee for all the world to see.
Amen. One of the best restaurants on the island! Thank you, George, for rising to the occasion.
Mr. Stewart,
I read your sign as confirming that you believe in free speech…..not a true invitation to a boycott. As a business owner it is your right to voice an opinion, people should not be so petty…I was in Sliders Monday night and will continue to come back.
Now you need to apologize in the News Leader Editorial, and on your Facebook website. Personally, I think you believed you could attract like-minded people to your establishment and you didn’t care who you offended (at the time) because you didn’t realize how many “liberals” you actually knew and served. Liberals to you are “those people”. I won’t say I’ll never return, but it won’t be soon.
Apology accepted!
Thanks for the explanation behind your actions. It is clear that your intent was not of prejudice (thank goodness). I’m hopeful that more folks will be understanding and have a willingness to move forward with support for your establishment.
We’ll be in soon!
George,
Thanks for your clear and sincere apology and especially for pointing out that people who are anti-gay are bigots. I don’t know of any other business owner in town who has made as public a statement clearly supporting gays as you have. See you at Sliders.
– Charles Burns
I would like to recommend Timoti’s Fry Shack as an alternative place for excellent seafood. We were heading to Sliders when we read the sign and altered our plans. Timoti’s is off Center Street at 21 North 3rd St, Fernandina Beach. They have a beautiful pirate-ship playground for the kids, an eclectic beer selection and excellent seafood!! And, they don’t post their political opinions on the marque!
Publicity stunt =! political opinion
Christopher,
If you are suggesting that I am affiliated with Timoti’s, let me reiterate that I am not. I was just a former patron of Sliders who ended up at Timoti’s for lunch with friends from out of town, and it was lovely.
A publicity stunt is not a political opinion.
The man said he was sorry. What more do you want?
Christopher, Like I mentioned above, I would like to see a more broad-reaching apology in the News Leader and on his Facebook page. I also mentioned that I would go back, but I’m not going to rush over there anytime soon.
Please, the guy owns Cafe Karibo & we know where he stands on politics…I’ll take Slider
Knowing which way someone leans politically is one thing. I will patronize any establishment owned by anyone no matter where they fall in the political spectrum, but I will not approve of and financially support anyone publicly isolating people who do not agree with them.
Wrong, the owner Tim Pointer (ex city commissioner) is in no way to be compared with George, the owner of Sliders.
Thank you George. Apology accepted.
“We eat at Chik Fil A, please boycott us”
^^^ super clear!!!^^^
That apology was ultra weak for ultra weak minds…wanted to be as busy as Chik Fil A??? What a stretch! The intent was obvious.
I was driving past with someone who had fond memories of this place…imagine his embarrassment and shame. Ugh. Nice try.
We were in Fernandina for the weekend and Sliders was recommended to us. We went, saw the sign and kept on driving. Had a nice meal downtown. Civil rights for all Americans genuinely means something to our family and the “joke” wasn’t taken the least bit lightly. I just don’t really see how that kind of hate and bigotry is a laughing matter.
Why not, if Mr. Stewart is the friend to the gay and open-minded community as he portrays himself in his apology, make amends? Host a gathering or a rally in support of equal rights and tolerance. For that, I would show up.
The man apologized for a joke in poor taste because he was envious of Chik-fil-a’s successful appreciation day. He stepped up and admitted that he was in error and meant no disrespect to homosexual or bisexual or gender bender communities. Nor that he had any bias against the same. For those who cannot tolerate the occasional mistake made by others, please step up, so we may see your perfection. If anyone out there describes themselves as a liberal and is not liberal and compassionate enough to accept his apology, boycott yourself. The man apologized. How are we to be accepting of others if hostility is perpetuated by those who want that acceptance?
His apology would carry more weight if this was the first time his signs were mean-spirited and politically unacceptable.
Why are you going back to old news? Enough unsettling news now without stirring up old stuff!
So tired of political correctness….give me a break….don’t be so easily offended!