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Good morning. On a Friday morning in May, Stan Jones checked his bank account to see if he had gotten paid. Jones and other kitchen staff of The Friend’s Table — a popular, upscale comfort-food restaurant in downtown Fayetteville — were supposed to receive their wages that day. Nothing showed up.
Concerned and confused, Jones and a few other staff members returned to The Friend’s Table on May 10 to ask the owner, Portia Grady, about their missing compensation. In response, she called Fayetteville police and told the dispatcher the employees were trespassing.
While no one was arrested, the encounter has spilled into the world of social media, with viral posts from former employees recounting their negative experiences of the interaction and of working at The Friend’s Table. Grady, the owner, says she felt threatened and her character assassinated by the online criticisms.
The restaurant has since closed down permanently — a decision Grady said she made because of concerns over her and her other employees’ safety and well being. The payment dispute and closure comes at a time when Grady is facing legal action for allegedly failing to pay rent at the business’ former location. More from Evey Weisblat in our lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter: In case you missed it last night, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to discontinue the downtown Crown Event Center project. Instead, the board is considering renovating the Crown Arena and Crown Theatre on U.S. 301. Plus, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission is considering increasing the discount it offers to companies that build plants that consume a large amount of electricity.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Editor-in-Chief
The Friend’s Table closes following payment dispute between employees and owner
A popular restaurant secured a spot in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. Then it all came crashing down.
More from CityView
Cumberland commissioners kill Fayetteville performing arts center
Fayetteville’s long-planned downtown performing arts center and meeting space has been quashed after the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted 5-2 to discontinue the project.
Fayetteville PWC considering bigger electricity discounts to lure big customers
New businesses that use a lot of power could get 23.76% off in their first year.
Events
BEND & BREW
- Where: The Rick Herrema Foundation, 5572 Shenandoah Drive, Fayetteville
- When: 9:30-10:30 a.m. today
- What: Bend your body, sip your coffee, and let your worries flow away.
FEED YOUR MIND: DAYLILIES 101
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: Noon-1 p.m. today
- What: Join Dr. Linda Sue Barnes at the Garden to hear about the conditions in which daylilies thrive and the best techniques for cultivating your own daylilies.
THE COMEDY COUCH WRITERS CHALLENGE
- Where: Paddy’s Irish Pub, 2606 Raeford Road, Suite B, Fayetteville
- When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. today
- What: 10 comics will be put in the hot seat and given 2 hours to write their best comedy set based on topics you have provided.
Obituaries
Hannelore Roth Duke
Hannelore Roth Duke, 92, of Shallotte, passed away on Thursday, May 22.
James “Jim” Madison Kizer
James “Jim” Madison Kizer, 85, of Fayetteville, passed away on Monday, June 2.
Tawante Sharee Sykes
Tawante Sharee Sykes, 38, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, May 30.
Until tomorrow!
🎭 The Gilbert Theater is holding its annual Pryer Awards at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. Awardees will be presented with recognitions in categories the Gilbert’s audiences voted for throughout the mainstage season, according to a Facebook post. The event will feature performances from the theater’s musical productions, Heathers and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as ice cream from The Sweet Palette.
~ Maydha
