Homeless man kicked out of Calgary restaurant says experience was 'degrading'

CALGARY- The homeless man at the centre of a story that has caused an outcry around the city is speaking out.

Original Joe’s customer Ryan Gartner said that on Friday night, he went to the Kensington location with friends. The group was seated next to a homeless man named Shawn, who was eating a meal that a Good Samaritan had bought him.

“We said hi to him, got his name…offered to help him out, if we could buy him a meal or anything like that.” Gartner recalls. “He was a quiet dude, friendly, he wasn't harming anybody."

He says that once they asked Shawn to join them, a bartender asked Shawn to leave.

“This homeless gentlemen asked if he was being asked to leave because he was homeless. To which the bartender replied ‘Yes, you’re dirty and you stink and you look offensive to people.’"

The story attracted widespread attention after being broadcast on Global News, with many Calgarians disgusted by the bartender’s alleged actions.

On Tuesday, Shawn shared his side of the story.

“It was degrading…made me feel like a piece of dirt,” says Shawn. “I didn't wanna cause a scene so I left.

“I mean I am living in the bush, I’m down on my luck, you know? I could use some help.”

He wanted to thank Gartner for his compassion, saying the simple gesture made him feel worthy.

“[Gartner] was really nice, reached in his pocket pulled everything out all his money in his pocket.”

Original Joe’s announced that the employee in question has been suspended while they investigate and issued the following statement:

“At Original Joe's we pride ourselves on being a welcome, approachable and down-to-earth establishment for all guests, and we take all incidents very seriously. Regarding the incident at the Kensington location on November 30th, the guest in question is very familiar to the staff at the Kensington location - he often comes in to exchange coins for paper money which we happily do for him. On this occasion, the guest enjoyed a meal and beverage, however, shortly after our bartender indicated he became disruptive with staff and patrons and was asked to leave the restaurant. It is our standard procedure to ask any guest to leave who disrupts the enjoyment, comfort or safety of our patrons or staff.

We are taking the accusation of derogatory remarks made to this individual very seriously and are still investigating the matter. Original Joe's has zero tolerance for this type of behaviour towards anyone in our establishment and we have suspended the staff member in question while we investigate further.

Original Joe's is a strong community supporter and we regularly donate to charities that support the homeless as well as many other community organizations.”

-Jordan Prescesky, VP of Original Joe's