Local restaurant vandalized

• Windows spray painted
• Four men refused service and came back later
• Staff face challenges during pandemic

Wings Tap & Grill restaurant in Rutland was vandalized on Thursday night, Oct.14.

According to the owner, the incident started when four young men failed to show I.D. and proof of vaccination and ultimately were asked to leave.

Brent Stewart who was not present at the time, was told by his manager the four men were causing a disturbance in the restaurant, swearing and uttering threats.

“They turned around and said 'we’re going to come back and shank you'", Stewart said. “Then an hour and a half later we had a couple guys come back and spray paint our windows.

“The vandalism is one thing but it’s a little alarming when they start threatening to come back and do something and they did. We were lucky it wasn’t violent,” he added.

Like many restaurants, the pandemic has been stressful for service staff when it comes to handling new restrictions. Stewart noted the latest round of rules set by the province has gotten a lot more attention with guests.

“This new mandate, the vaccine passport has sparked more controversy and conflict between staff and customers than any other restriction we had to deal with,” Stewart said.

Stewart added he appreciates his staff’s efforts who handle the brunt of bad customer behavior regarding new restrictions.

“They shouldn’t be put through that. We’re not security guards or law enforcement, we’re supposed to come in and have a good time,” he added.

Steward said the incident captured on security cameras will be looked at by the RCMP.