A conversation with a visiting customer from Buffalo is what put Michael Barnhouse over the edge.
Barnhouse, the owner of North Side restaurants Leo and Lola, heard the man talk about his unwillingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine. That inspired Barnhouse to make his establishments the first in Pittsburgh to require proof of vaccination in order to dine.
He hopes that it is a step in keeping his regulars safe.
“They’re my bread and butter,” Barnhouse said. “I need to reach out to protect the people who are in my direct community from this variant.
“People are getting sick. The science is real. I have an immune deficiency myself. I’m protecting me, as well. It wasn’t a hard decision. It was a right decision.”
The response has been mixed. Since posting the announcement on social media, Barnhouse has seen plenty of support. But that’s not the case entirely.
“I’m a little shocked,” he said. “My wife, who is Russian, is being called a ‘Nazi.’ We’re very, very hard working, humble, honest people. And this will all blow over. It’s a flash in the pan.”
The insults are one thing, but Barnhouse and his wife have also received threats of violence. That has led to the closing of Lola on Wednesday. He is trying to smooth things over as much as possible with those who may not understand or dislike his decision.
“I had a guy call me from Florida, and he started off with kind of a threat,” he said. “After (talking for) 40 minutes, we’re friends. By the end of it, he invited me down to his beach house.”
Barnhouse’s decision is not overly unique. This week, New York City announced plans to require proof of vaccines for entry into restaurants and gyms. Some European countries, specifically France and Italy, announced similar legislature last month.
As of Wednesday morning, Leo’s Facebook page had received nearly 1,000 comments on the post announcing the new policy.
So is Barnhouse worried the backlash could harm his business?
“No, not at all, really,” he said. “I’m worried more about a physical threat than anything else.”