Owner claims local newspaper fabricated proposed restaurant concept, “VIP Sports Bar and Lounge,” after neighborhood retaliated.
UPDATE (Aug. 19, 2011): Residents try to shutter Kirkwood Bar and Grill; Owner tweets they’re racist
Kirkwood residents lashed out when word broke that Kirkwood Public House would reopen as VIP Sports Bar and Grill.
Restaurant owner David Johnson agrees the name “would not be appropriate.”
Johnson recently purchased the gastro pub space at 1963 Hosea Williams Drive with plans to reopen May 1 (story here).
Nearly 60 comments were collected in response to an article published on What Now Atlanta announcing the new restaurant concept, most in disgust.
Among the commenters was Chris, who shared similar views to most others leaving comments.
“Just take the VIP out of the name and people may leave their guns at home,” Chris wrote.
Johnson responded to the thread thankful for the feedback.
“It will be our goal to treat everyone as a VIP,” Johnson left in a comment.
But that wasn’t enough for Johnson, who in an email to What Now Atlanta, claimed the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s (who we credited for the scoop) “information was dead wrong.”
In a follow-up interview, Johnson told What Now Atlanta it’s “mind boggling” how the Atlanta Business Chronicle got the name for his new concept.
“The restaurant is going to be called Kirkwood Bar and Grill and not VIP Sports Bar and Lounge,” Johnson said. “I don’t even remember the reporter’s name with the Atlanta Business Chronicle.”
Lisa Schoolcraft, a highly respectable reporter with the Atlanta Business Chronicle who published the report, was out of the office and was unable to comment.
As for the feedback left from Kirkwood residents on What Now Atlanta, Johnson said that has nothing to do with the restaurant’s name and concept.
Sure. We believe you! And Schoolcraft’s out to get you, David!
