CHELSEA — An organic restaurant slammed by “CrossFit people” for going meatless got an outpouring of vegan "love mail" Tuesday, manager Kiki Adami told DNAinfo.
DNAinfo first reported that GustOrganics, a Sixth Avenue health food restaurant, received “hate emails” from meat-loving customers, who Adami called "CrossFit people," after they began to phase meat off the menu in November.
Vegans spontaneously countered with dozens of “love” messages, Adami said, including from one vegan CrossFitter.
“I read an article that you were getting hate mail about going vegan, so I just wanted to send you some ‘lovemail’ instead,” wrote fan Liz Wible wrote in an email.
“You are acting responsibly and I commend you,” vegetarian Erin Hughes wrote.
She said the restaurant also booked seven Valentine’s Day reservations yesterday, and had their busiest Tuesday in months.
Internet commenters were split over the restaurant’s move to go vegan despite backlash from customers. Many tweeted messages of support, but others chastised the restaurant's choice.
@GustOrganics - you guys are AWESOME! Don't let haters get us down! When we're in your neck of the woods we'll be in for your great food!
resto switches menu from paleo to vegan and is surprised that it loses customers http://t.co/kclCShnPv6
— Stefan Loesch (@oditorium) February 3, 2015— HR Ⓥ (@ModifiedVegan) February 4, 2015Serve organic meat and raise prices! RT @MarisaKabas: BAN CROSSFIT PEOPLE http://t.co/MNsFWfBO83
— Tim Sullivan (@Tim_Org) February 3, 2015
“I just want to kiss every one of them,” Adami said.
