The meme and remarks attributed to Doodle Cinotti shocked the local and statewide LGBTQ community as well as their supporters. The sandwich shop also posted that its goal "has always been about making awesome sandwiches, while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our employees and customers." We feel it is what is best for our business," Sub Cultured said in the post. Therefore, we will no longer be serving Cinotti's bread. "Following recent events, many people in our community have been alienated, hurt and rightfully upset by the broadcasting of opinions that do not match ours here, at Sub Cultured. Sub Cultured, a popular Atlantic Beach sandwich shop, announced on its Facebook page that it would no longer serve its sandwiches on Cinotti's bread. On Tuesday morning, with his voice filled with emotion, Mike Cinotti repeated the apology during a brief interview with the Times-Union.ĭespite the morning show of customer support, Cinotti's had lost one regular customer by lunchtime Tuesday. Our hearts are breaking and we hope you will give us the opportunity to get to know the real us," he also said.
"We apologize that we have offended folks and can promise you we love this community and everyone in it. The bakery's apology noted Cinotti's has been a family business for 70 years "with 5 generations of our family pouring their hearts into the business … What you may have seen on social is not a true picture of who we are," bakery owner Mike Cinotti, who is married to Doodle Crumbley Cinotti, said in the apology. It ended with "I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my post." "I realize it came across as me being intolerant of the LGBT community, but that was far from accurate," according to the post. It also said that she didn't hold hatred or even indifference toward anyone. However, there were at least 1,600 comments about the posts on the bakery's Facebook page by Tuesday afternoon.Īn apology posted to her Facebook page stated that the controversial post was not meant to be offensive toward anyone. The posts considered offensive have been removed from social media and both Doodle Cinotti and the business have issued apologies. Others said they just wanted doughnuts and either had no opinion or knowledge about the issue. Some of the bakery's customers said they didn't agree with the Facebook posts that Doodle Cinotti apologized for making, but said she was entitled to her opinion no matter how disagreeable. "It's just unfortunate that this controversy occurred, but they are good people," White said. "I came by just to patronize them and show them my support," said White, who has known the Cinotti family and been coming to the bakery off-and-on for about 20 years. Describing himself as a follower of Christ, White said he believes in loving everyone even if you don't like what they do.
"It's unfortunate," White said of the criticism against the Cinotti family. As soon as one car left another took its place. More coverage: DeSantis signs controversial transgender girls sports ban on first day of Pride in JacksonvilleĪt times, the line stretched around the bakery's filled display cases and just outside the front door. Photos: Cinotti Bakery’s Pumpkin Donut midnight release party
Cinotti’s famous pumpkin doughnuts are (finally) here. Related: Step aside, Pumpkin Spice Latte. He joined a line of customers patiently waiting to order breakfast sandwiches, pick up doughnuts or cookies or have some grits and coffee. Instead, the bakery's parking lot and restaurant were filled with supporters, including Richard White Jr., who drove more than 25 miles from Orange Park to offer support to the Cinotti family and to get coffee before an appointment at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. On Tuesday morning, the first day of business since the outcry over the social media post began, an off-duty police officer working as a security guard was stationed at the bakery, but no incidents were reported.