North Carolina Diner: “No Speak English. No Service.”

Ah, this one is pretty priceless. A diner in North Carolina decided that customers were only welcome if they spoke “American,” and what’s worse, business after the signs went up on the restaurant doors tripled.

The Reedy Creek Family Diner in Lexington, North Carolina decided in March that Latino customers who didn’t speak “American” were no longer welcome in the establishment. Although owner Greg Simons specifically said that the policy went into effect after Latino customers had trouble ordering at his restaurant, surprisingly, he also says he’s not racist.

Shortly after the sign was reported on, he received a bomb threat, it disappeared from the door and became a handout at the counter. See the video here. It’s funny to note that, in all his ignorance:

Simons’ sign, when translated, actually reads that those who receive service must speak French, Irish, German, Russian, Spanish and English. Simons admitted that he made an error.

And, because we’ve been writing about the racial issues emerging in the New South with huge growth in the Latino population, it’s important to note that he says he’s handed out 500 copies of this sign and business has never been better.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD