Kentucky restaurants offer all sanctuary, a seat at the table
Restaurants open with the intent to serve, but two restaurants in central Kentucky have taken the idea of service to heart and have built their business models around offering everyone a place at their tables.
Noodle Nirvana in Berea, Kentucky, and The Kitchen in Richmond, Kentucky, are both sanctuary restaurants, where patrons are offered a hearty meal without a side of discrimination.
Part of a nationwide movement forged by the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United and Presente.org, the Sanctuary Restaurants project supports restaurant owners, workers, and consumers who share a zero tolerance policy when it comes to regarding sexism, racism and xenophobia in today’s culture.
There are nearly 350 sanctuary restaurants located in the United States. Currently, there are nine other sanctuary restaurants aside from Noodle Nirvana and The Kitchen in Kentucky — three each in Louisville and Bowling Green, two in Frankfort and one in Lexington.
As sanctuary restaurants, both Noodle Nirvana and The Kitchen are focused on respecting and serving people truly from all walks of life while being a beacon of change in each of their communities.
What they are not doing, said The Kitchen owner Devon Rosenblatt, is breaking the law.
“Unfortunately, when people here the word ‘sanctuary’ now, they automatically align it with illegal immigration,” Rosenblatt said. “The most important thing I want people to know is that we are not breaking the law, nor do we intend to. That is not what being a sanctuary restaurant means.”
Mae Suramek, owner of Noodle Nirvana, built her business around the idea of sustainability and fairness.
Suramek’s employees are paid a living wage and the restaurant donates all tips and portions of the restaurant’s proceeds on specific days to local charities.
When President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries splashed across the restaurant owner’s newsfeed, she knew she had to do something.
“I saw that a local church was going to be a sanctuary church,” Suramek said during an interview with Louisville-based radio outlet WFPL. “I saw my friends posting on Facebook saying they would be a sanctuary and provide housing for anybody that might need respite and I wanted to see how my business could be really at the forefront of letting our community know we are a safe place.”
Suramek said she joined the sanctuary restaurant initiative because it spoke to her directly – her mother immigrated from Thailand in the 1970s and made her home in Kentucky.
“When this ban happened, it did speak to me on a personal level,” she told WFPL. “If my mom wasn’t permitted to enter the country, you know 40-something years ago, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Rosenblatt said owning and operating a sanctuary restaurant does not mean he and others are hiring or harboring undocumented immigrants.
“We aren’t taking any sides in the debate,” he explained. “We are not affiliated with sanctuary cities. We are committing ourselves to providing a place and creating a dialogue that doesn’t discriminate against you for your country of origin, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or beliefs.”
During the recent “Day Without Immigrants,” Suramek chose to keep her restaurant open to the public, but said she stood in solidarity with those that chose to strike.
By keeping the restaurant open, Noodle Nirvana stood by its principles to be a sanctuary for all.
“We want everyone to enjoy this place,” Suramek said. “We are a part of the community and that means everyone.”
Rosenblatt and Suramek both believe in a sanctuary restaurant existing as a sort of inclusive safe place in the community in a political climate that focuses on the differences of the human race.
At The Kitchen, Rosenblatt said the restaurant will not tolerate any kind of discriminatory behavior in our hiring practices or within its walls. He also said his employees will receive training on how to identify and handle discrimination.
Rosenblatt, whose restaurant is scheduled to open this month, said he elected to become a sanctuary restaurant due to his concerns about the possible revocation of the fairness act.
“I feel like we are going backwards in time,” Rosenblatt said of the matter. “Where business owners can openly practice discrimination. It’s unacceptable to me.”
The restaurant owner and chef said he wants The Kitchen to be a beacon of light in the community, as others have done throughout history.
“Not too long ago, it was legal to discriminate against people based on the color of their skin. They were not allowed in certain restaurants,” Rosenblatt said. “At that time, several business owners stepped up and offered those discriminated against a safe place where they could enjoy a meal without fear. I want to do the same.”
Rosenblatt said there will always be a seat at his restaurant for those that want to enjoy good food. He said he wants everyone to be comfortable at his restaurant, but realizes that may make some people uncomfortable.
“If you want to engage in a civil political discussion, we can. I know that people are different and have different beliefs and views than me. However, if you come here with the purpose to denigrate and harass my staff or my customers, you will be asked to leave,” Rosenblatt said.
The fabric of the sanctuary restaurant is one that is woven with many threads, as Suramek’s employees include a wide range of immigrants, Kentucky natives, students and those of different beliefs, sexual orientation and backgrounds.
It’s a balance that works and one that she is proud of.
Rosenblatt said he wants to pay forward the kindness and help he has been given by members of the community.
“When I moved into this new place, I knew I wanted it to be more than a restaurant,” he said. “I now have a vehicle where I can do that. I wanted to give back to a community that has shown me great support and has offered me a chance to grow my business. I believe by making a conscious effort to include everyone, I can do that.”
The Richmond, Kentucky Register contributed to this story.