"The local chain of popular all-day cafes is facing allegations of discrimination after intensifying social media videos claim that Great White segregates customers based on ethnicity and race, which its owners and some employees deny. Restaurateurs Sam Cooper and Sam Trude operate four locations of their Australian cafe in Venice, Larchmont Village, Brentwood and West Hollywood (the latter of which is also referred to as Great White Melrose for its location on Melrose Avenue)."
"The recent backlash began with a video posted to Instagram Sept. 29 from a woman sitting at Great White. "I don't know if it's just me but they put all Asians in one corner, and it's all white people," diner Cassidy Cho said in her video. She quickly pans around the alfresco area, revealing what appear to be multiple people of color seated on the patio, but patrons who appear of Asian descent are seated along the sides. Cho could not be reached for comment."
Social media videos claim Great White segregates customers by ethnicity, alleging Asian patrons were seated separately while white customers occupied other areas. Owners Sam Cooper and Sam Trude deny the allegations and deny similar claims tied to Gran Blanco, a formerly owned restaurant now under new ownership. Some current and former employees say they were instructed to turn away "ethnic" customers, while other employees refute those accounts. A widely shared Instagram video shows a diner saying Asians were placed in one corner and pans the patio seating. The restaurateurs operate four Great White locations in Los Angeles neighborhoods including Venice, Larchmont Village, Brentwood and West Hollywood.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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