Maine
Maine business deals with outrage over another company’s racist sign
DAMARISCOTTA — A Maine enterprise is drawing nationwide backlash for a racist signal, however a special firm three hours away is now bearing the brunt of the outrage.
Reed Household Insurance coverage Advisors Proprietor Nate Reed mentioned the telephone began ringing much more than regular Tuesday morning, the day after Juneteenth.
“I didn’t know what was occurring,” Reed mentioned. “I believed enterprise was going good.”
Reed shortly realized one thing was fallacious after a reporter known as searching for remark.
“I mentioned, ‘I don’t even know what you’re speaking about,” Reed mentioned. “She mentioned, ‘Nicely you would possibly need to log on, as a result of there’s this put up going round on Reddit.’”
The picture initially shared on Fb exhibits an indication exterior Harry E Reed Insurance coverage Company in Millinocket studying, “Juneteenth. It’s no matter… We’re closed. Take pleasure in your fried hen and collard greens.”
Reed Household Insurance coverage Advisors is 150 miles away in Damariscotta.
Ever for the reason that picture went viral, his firm has been inundated with livid voicemails, Google evaluations and messages.
“We aren’t affiliated nor related to it,” Reed mentioned. “It simply occurs to be the identical final title.”
Reed says it runs fully counter to what he believes in.
“We need to deal with everybody like household,” Reed mentioned. “We’re right here for everybody.”
That’s why he’s making an attempt to set the document straight.
The entire ordeal has made him scared for his household and his enterprise, all due to misdirected anger.
“My message to others can be to do your analysis,” Reed mentioned. “Do your due diligence as a result of there are good folks on the market that may be ruined by one dangerous factor.”
CBS13 was unable to succeed in the Millinocket company.