Picking a side during election season is a dangerous notion, especially for businesses. Sadly, it appears that for the Black community of Georgia, one of their favorite Black-owned brunch spots picked the wrong side because the restaurant posed for photos and an interview with a controversial Republican gubernatorial candidate. The move has since ignited calls for a boycott and accusations against the candidate.
Toast on Lenox is the restaurant in question, a well-known brunch destination with locations in Midtown and Buckhead. The place drew criticism after Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson shared a photo on Instagram featuring himself alongside Toast on Lenox co-owner Tamara Young. In the post, Jackson praised Young’s entrepreneurial success and said that, if elected governor, he would fight for opportunities for business owners across Georgia.
Jackson, the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare, recently secured the Republican nomination for governor and is set to face Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November’s general election. During his campaign, Jackson has compared himself to President Donald Trump and even aired some controversial ads implying violence against immigrants, saying they will be “deported or departed.”
After the photo circulated, social media users questioned why a prominent Black-owned business would host a conservative candidate whose views have drawn criticism. The backlash quickly spilled onto restaurant review pages and social media, where some customers accused the business of supporting Jackson. One Redditor claims, “Anyone can be a sellout,” while a Yelp reviewer even stated they would no longer patronize the restaurant because they viewed Jackson as a “white nationalist.”
Toast on Lenox denied ties, but it backfired
Initially, Toast on Lenox did not issue a formal response, though co-owner and executive chef Virgil Harper posted a message on Instagram reading, “A Discussion is not a Vote!!!!!!” accompanied by the hashtag #StayWoke. The restaurant later released a more detailed statement, emphasizing that it does not endorse Jackson or his campaign. According to the statement, the photograph was taken during a guest’s visit, and any political remarks made in Jackson’s social media post reflected his views alone.
Toast on Lenox also said its mission has always been to welcome every guest with the same hospitality and respect, regardless of political affiliation. While the explanation reassured some supporters, one can argue that in today’s polarized political climate, public appearances with candidates carry symbolic weight regardless of intent.
Needless to say, the controversy is far from settled. Toast on Lenox’s follow-up was quickly criticized, now with even more inflammatory and skeptical comments. One Instagram user even wrote, “I’m not taking a picture with the klan no matter what ‘support’ they give my business. But that’s me. Carry on tho,” further accusing candidate Rick Jackson.
