Letter leads to lunch-in at Hobos

A mother's letter to the editor pleading for compassion for her daughter went viral over the weekend, leading to a lunch-in protest on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

In a letter in the May 1 edition of the Cape Gazette, Lisa Nicoletti told the story of her daughter, Madie, who was having lunch on a public bench in front of Hobo's restaurant when she was asked by the restaurant owner to move elsewhere.

In response to Nicoletti's letter and thousands of subsequent shares on Facebook, about 15 people appeared at the restaurant May 3 to support Madie's right to have lunch on the bench. Just as Madie had done, the group bought sandwiches from neighboring Frank and Louie’s Italian Specialties and sat down on a bench in front of Hobos for lunch.

This time, Hobos served free lemonade to protestors as well as to supporters of Hobos owner Gretchen Hanson, who had also gathered at the restaurant. The protestors passed the hat for donations and collected $500, which will be used to pay for Madie’s favorite eggplant sandwich at Frank and Louie’s as long as the money lasts.

Both Hanson and Nicoletti agree that on April 2, Madie, who has autism, and her direct support professional sat on a bench in front of Hobo’s to eat their sandwiches.

Nicoletti said Madie was approached by Hanson and asked if she were waiting for a table. Nicoletti said Hanson also requested Madie move to another bench. Hanson said she told Madie the restaurant was busy and asked the two young women if they could take their picnic to the next bench. Hanson said she did not realize Madie and her support professional were in their 20s or that Madie was autistic.

After some time went by, Hanson said manager Patrick Aucoin also approached Madie and her support professional. He again asked them to move. At some point, the bench was moved to a different location.

Aucoin said later that he felt horrible about the incident and admitted he made a mistake.

Nicoletti said Madie was scared and confused by the persistence of Hobos staff in asking her to leave, and she did not understand why.

Nicoletti also said Hanson and Aucoin had no right or authority to ask Madie to leave a city-owned, public bench.

“I feel terrible about Madie’s being upset,” Hanson said. “That absolutely wrenches my heart.”

Since the story went viral on the Cape Gazette website, Hanson said she has received death threats and had to take down Hobos Facebook page.

Protestors indicated their main reason for being there was to support Madie and the right to use public property.

“We support Madie’s right, or anyone’s right to sit on any bench,” said Pam Ivans of Rehoboth.

City Manager Sharon Lynn said officials had spoken with Hanson, but the restaurant was not cited for moving the bench from in front of the restaurant. The bench was later returned to its original place.

Houston Vaughan of Rehoboth said he hoped Nicoletti and Hanson could clear the air and people could become more aware of how those with autism function.

“The whole situation could have been handled better all the way around,” Vaughan said.

Both parties said they were taxed by the events of the weekend. “I’m exhausted emotionally,” Nicoletti said.

“I just want it to calm down and go away,” Hanson said.

Nicoletti said Madie has been happy and proud of the support she has received. Nicoletti also thanked supporters and those who attended the protest in support of Madie.

Nicoletti said she would like Hanson to make a formal, written apology and admission of wrongdoing. Nicoletti concluded with a quote from author H. Jackson Browne that read, “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”

Hanson said she was sorry for any harm caused to the Nicoletti family, that she should not have asked Madie to move and that it would not happen again.

"We're so sorry it occurred," Hanson said.