Business faces backlash following email opposing Planned Parenthood

Facebook post includes screenshot of owner’s anti-abortion message

MAGGIE QUINLAN | THE DAILY EVERGREEN

Slice and Biscuit manager says there has not been a decline in business after the Facebook post was shared, but the restaurant has a lower rating than it did. She says several people have gone in and shown their support for the business.

LUKE HUDSON, Evergreen reporter

A restaurant in Moscow received mixed reactions and new reviews on social media following a post made by a former Paradise Creek Brewery employee.

Kyle Yeigh, former Paradise Creek Brewery employee, posted on May 21 that it had been nearly one year since he tried to create a partnership between Paradise Creek, Iron Goat Brewery, and Slice and Biscuit to raise money for Planned Parenthood.

In a Facebook message, Yeigh wrote that both breweries approved of the project.

The same post included a screenshot of an email sent by Slice and Biscuit owner Rebekah Becker, in which she turned down the offer. Becker wrote in the email that since the two breweries were actively raising money for Planned Parenthood, she could not “in good conscience” support the breweries.

“I wonder if you guys realize just exactly what Planned Parenthood does?” Becker said in the screenshotted email. “While they boast that they are all about women’s health, what they are really doing is encouraging women to kill their babies.”

Becker also wrote last year that she would pull all Paradise Creek and Iron Goat Brewery beers from the restaurant. Slice and Biscuit manager Raijoice Mallery said Paradise Creek beers have returned on tap and they sell the brewery’s beers by the can at Slice and Biscuit.

Tom Handy, owner of Paradise Creek Brewery, declined to comment on last year’s events and the recent social media posts.

Mallery said there has not been any noticeable difference in business but that the restaurant is rated lower than it was before. She said some responses have been positive.

“We’ve had several people coming in saying that they’re supporting us, they’ve come in specifically just to let us know that they’re here in support of the owners and what they’re doing,” Mallery said.

Mallery said she encourages people to figure out what happened for themselves before posting on social media. She said to look at posts made on Slice and Biscuit’s Facebook page regarding the situation or come in to speak with someone personally. The Facebook posts have since been deleted or removed by administration.

“I would say definitely don’t just lie about anything that you’re saying but if you truly think our business isn’t good for this or that reason, sure, that’s fine,” Mallery said.

Yeigh added to his post after reading Slice and Biscuit’s since-deleted response on Facebook, writing that he is not a spokesperson for the breweries involved.

“I am not trying to lead a crusade against any business,” Yeigh said in his post. “But I do believe in transparency in any community.”