Fresh in from the tip line. Anyone know anything?
Bil,
I heard something really weird the other day. A friend (who is gay) was at the bar at the new Scholars Inn. He commented on the new designs to a manager/assistant manager behind the bar who replied something to the effect of: "We're hoping it helps get the queers out of here." My friend was shocked.
I find this so hard to believe. Why dismiss such a core part of your business (and *why* say anything about it?) I'm wondering if you'd heard anything? Are there were any rumors flying around that the attitudes at Scholar's Inn had changed?(If anything, I thought their new design -- especially the downstairs bar -- would largely *appeal* to the gay community. Although I have noticed that they're not promoting Thursday night half-price martini night although they are continuing the special.) Just wondering if you'd heard any rumblings down on Mass Ave?
Editor's note: This story has been updated in a new post. Scholar's Inn is gay friendly.
Comment on this entry
This is interesting because the Scholar's Inn Bakehouse in Broad Ripple had a promotion for the week of World AIDS Day, Nov. 25-Dec. 1, where 15 percent of the pre-tax proceeds for all purchases went to the Indiana AIDS Fund. (receipts had to be placed in special boxes) And I believe they were part of Dining Out For Life in the past, but aren't on the list this year. Not to equate support of AIDS awareness with support of the GLBTQ population, but sometimes that's an indicator if a place is at least GLBTQ-friendly/tolerant... (Here is the list of restaurants that are participating, maybe they missed the deadline because of their renovation schedule?: http://diningoutforlife.com/indianapolis/participating)
HIV/AIDS advocate | April 1, 2008 2:43 PM
Scholar's Inn is a member in good standing of the Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. We received their renewal check on March 10, 2008, which I believe is after the remodeling and re-opening.
It's possible they have inadvertently hired a douche for an assistant manager who would make a comment like that, but I really doubt that the Scholar's Inn ownership and management think that way (in fact, I think their Chamber Membership among other things demonstrates that they are supportive).
I think you could probably get a comment from the ownership about this, Bil, if you haven't already tried. His name is Lyle Feigenbaum.
Jeff Newman | April 1, 2008 4:38 PM
I think it prudent to check with a business before posting rumors. SI is a member of the Rainbow Chamber, a big supporter of Grande Masquerade, donates to Lambda Legal's Silent Auction, on and on. The supposed comments of one idiot shouldn't be repeated or posted, it should be reported to management and dealt with that way. I think we have a responsibility to companies who support us to support them back!!
Linda Perdue | April 1, 2008 5:55 PM
I think it's safe to say that sometimes a business can advocate for a cause and internally still try to change their focus. And some of the stories (true and untrue) that fly around the restaurant community are often quite different than the face the owners want to put on a situation. It wouldn't surprise me if the SI owners were trying to squeeze every penny from customers after their renovation. One would hope they wouldn't bite the hand that feeds them -- or knocks back a lot of martinis -- but training of staff comes from within and attitudes about customers come from the top down. If anything, the new renovation seems to make the place even more appealing to the gay community, whether they intended to or not.
indy diner | April 2, 2008 12:46 PM
To help avoid spam, all comments from unregistered users are held for moderation.