As a member of the Lewes and greater Sussex County community, and as someone who has poured years of passion, pride and hope into building local hospitality businesses, I feel compelled to speak up about a troubling trend unfolding in our digital backyard.
Recently, in a popular local Facebook group, a post questioned the quality of food at Taco Reho, a local restaurant I’m proud to be part of. It wasn’t a review; it was a vague prompt designed to provoke. What followed was a wave of harsh, often cruel comments. Days later, a similarly worded post targeted Surf Bagel, another well-loved local business. In both cases, the threads quickly spiraled into public pile-ons, and while the posts were eventually removed by moderators, the damage was done.
It felt like a witch hunt.
Let me be clear: Constructive feedback is part of our business. We welcome it. We learn from it. And we always strive to do better. But when online conversations turn into attacks, the impact goes far beyond the screen. These comment sections aren’t just critiques of food; they cut into the people behind the counter: cooks who take pride in every plate, servers who bring warmth and personality to every table, and leaders who work hard to build strong teams and welcoming spaces.
In moments like these, I think about the mission of Celebrate Wellness, a local nonprofit focused on supporting the mental wellness of hospitality workers. These aren’t just jobs; they’re livelihoods and sources of purpose. The mental toll of seeing your workplace publicly trashed by strangers online is real and lasting. It adds weight to already long days and discourages the very people who are doing everything they can to create great experiences for our community.
We live in a town that rallies around its own. We support local, we show up and we care. That’s why I believe we can do better – together. Before taking a swing in the comment section, consider who that punch might hurt. Because behind every restaurant sign is a group of people doing their best to bring joy to your table.
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