A dispute between Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and The Croissanterie has sparked debate after both sides released sharply different accounts of a March 13 incident that led to the governor being asked to leave the establishment.
According to a statement from Sanders’ office, the governor was dining with two companions while accompanied by her State Police Executive Protection Detail when the restaurant owner approached security and requested that she leave.
Sanders said the request came after she had already been seated for more than an hour and had paid for her meal, alleging the owner claimed her presence made employees feel “threatened” because of her political views.
“Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesn’t meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate,” Sanders said in a public statement.
The restaurant, however, disputed key elements of that claim and offered a more detailed account of the visit.
In a written statement, The Croissanterie said staff were initially unsure how to handle the situation after realizing the governor was dining inside.
Since she was already seated and eating, employees chose not to interrupt and expected the visit to conclude without issue.
As time passed, the presence of the governor and her security detail drew increasing attention from both employees and customers, prompting internal concern.
Owners claimed that they were placed in a difficult position, considering whether allowing her to remain might be viewed as unsupportive of their staff and community, while asking her to leave could be interpreted as denying service based on political beliefs.
“Ultimately, we made the decision to support our employees and guests who expressed they were uncomfortable,” the restaurant said, while also clarifying that it did “not recall any statements indicating that anyone felt threatened.”
According to the restaurant’s account, staff contacted a member of the governor’s security detail about an hour into the visit, encouraging Sanders to conclude her meal.
A follow-up request was made as the visit approached the restaurant’s 90-minute table limit.
The restaurant said the governor’s party departed shortly after receiving the message and that the exit occurred without disruption.
Both sides acknowledged that an individual made an inappropriate hand gesture toward Sanders as she left, though the restaurant emphasized the person was a customer, not an employee, and that the situation was addressed internally, according to THV11.
The incident has drawn comparisons to a 2019 episode involving Sanders when she served as White House press secretary and was asked to leave a Virginia restaurant, highlighting recurring tensions between political figures and private businesses, The Hill noted.
In this latest case, the disagreement centers not only on what was said but also on how the situation was handled.
Sanders’ account frames the incident as politically motivated discrimination, while the restaurant maintains it acted in response to concerns from staff and guests while trying to balance competing considerations.
“We regret being placed in this position and having to make a difficult decision,” the restaurant said. “However, we stand by our choice to support our employees and guests.”
As reactions continue, the incident highlights broader questions about how public officials are treated in private establishments and how businesses navigate politically sensitive situations involving high-profile figures.
Both accounts agree on one point: the situation unfolded quietly but has since ignited a much louder national conversation.
