Following a Beef With the NRA, Ellen’s Owner Pledges $15,000 To Support Gun Regulation | Eater Dallas

"After the NRA hosted its annual conference in Downtown Dallas, I followed the controversy around Ellen’s when owner Joe Groves printed a note on receipts pledging a percentage of that week’s proceeds to “organizations dedicated to implementing reasonable and effective gun regulation”; he ultimately decided to write a $15,000 check to Moms Demand Action. Groves said he had initially been undecided about the beneficiary but wanted to support solutions to gun violence and believes that stance isn’t in opposition to the NRA’s mission. I witnessed that the pledge prompted widespread backlash — including an NRA tweet to its 668,000 followers urging a boycott — and led to threatening phone calls, a rash of negative online reviews, and unexpected personal scrutiny such as interviews with the BBC. Despite that, Groves said he contributed a sizable personal amount toward the donation, donations came in from around the world in addition to restaurant-raised funds, and he planned to make the donation on Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day)." - Alaena Hostetter