SALISBURY, Md. - A local business owner in Wicomico county is apologizing to the community and the city after an employee wrote an offensive message on the restaurant's entrance sign. Locals shared mixed reactions to the incident and we spoke to Market Street Inn to see how they plan to move forward.
A Facebook post on Market Street Inn's page went viral but not for good reasons.
All after an employee wrote, "So if a male can identify as a female, can a bar identity as a grocery store," on the restaurants' entrance sign.
A statement that has caused much aggravation on social media.
Caitlin Wight says she grew up in Salisbury and unfortunately it is not the first time something like this happens in the area.
"If you're not transgender you don't get to decide what is or isn't a joke or what you should or shouldn't be sensitive about," said Wight.
Other locals say the message was insensitive, but it does not represent what the company stands for.
"He genuinely felt bad about it and I think he made the right move to do better," said Alfred Brewer, another local resident who grew up in Salisbury.
Rob Mulford is the owner of Market Street Inn, he confirms to WRDE that the employee who wrote the message is no longer working there.
On Sunday, he released this statement apologizing to the community and the city of Salisbury.
"That's my job as the owner and the leader is to handle this and move forward and educate myself," added Mulford.
Mulford says he plans to team up with Salisbury Pflag, an organization that works to educate others and provide support on behalf of the LGBTQ community.
The organization said on Facebook:
"We look forward to working with them to help build inclusive spaces for our community,"
Adding that they are looking forward to offering training to other businesses.
Mulford says he is taking full responsibility and hoping to make a change.
"Like I said it was an error in judgment. I'm educating myself and educating my staff," said Mulford.
Mulford wants to emphasize that this does not reflect the city of Salisbury. Community leaders say that they hope this is a lesson learned for other local businesses.