Off The Record

Cracker Barrel Apologizes, Removes ‘Offensive’ Decoration

Published on October 1, 2024

The Connecticut outpost of the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain has issued an apology to its patrons after they noticed a decoration that seemed to be a noose hanging from the ceiling.

At a restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut, it was discovered on November 7 among the vintage tools, boxes, utensils, and other decorations. Following its discovery, patrons shared pictures and videos of the object on social media.

It was the cord of an antique electric soldering iron that had been in the restaurant for years, according to media relations for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which spoke with CNN.

“The décor item – an antique soldering iron with an original wrapped cord – in our East Windsor store should have been noticed and corrected before ever being displayed, and it has since been removed,” the company said in an email.

The business thanked the guest for pointing it up and expressed regret to them.

“We are grateful to our guest who pointed it out to us so we could correct this mistake,” the email said.

“We work hard to create a culture of hospitality that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive to everyone who walks through our doors,” the company said.

Additionally, Cracker Barrel issued an apology on Twitter in response to a post that included images of the item.

Someone at Cracker Barrel in East Windsor need to explain why there are nooses on the ceiling… #notagoodlook pic.twitter.com/yitLFvQOtP
— Alfonso Robinson (@ctblogger) November 9, 2020

Because Tamra Hawkins didn’t trust the stories on social media, she went to the East Windsor Cracker Barrel on November 8 and uploaded a video of the store’s decorations on Facebook.

She told CNN that during the last five years, she has eaten at that Cracker Barrel—which is located around 15 miles north of Hartford—at least four or five times a month.

While filming the video, Hawkins was unaware of the cord, so when viewers pointed it out, she became infuriated.

She told CNN that she rejected the apology and didn’t think the company’s explanation was credible.

“I would respect it more if they took ownership with poor taste in judgment in the prop being on display,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins’ favorite restaurant was Cracker Barrel, but she declared she would never go there again.

Cracker Barrel said in its email, “While we have removed the item from this particular store, we are working with our teams to determine whether this item or others like it exist in any of our other stores, and, if so, removed.”

On its website, the Tennessee-based firm claims to have over 660 locations throughout 45 states.