Tampa Daily Press

TAMPA FL. — Monday night saw a shortage at a popular Tampa restaurant and brewery after the co-owner made rude and discriminatory comments about waitstaff and to a manager.

John Doble’s comments prompted employees at Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Ybor City, to walk out Saturday night with at least five quitting.

Bartender Casey Rhymestine is one of these employees. She said that Doble has a history making inappropriate comments and went too far to comment on Doble’s appearance.

Rhymestine claims that Doble reportedly said to a manager, “If we hired more attractive bartenders, the place would make more money.”

Rhymestine, a Tampa Bay Brewing Company bartender for five years, said that it was not the right way to treat a dedicated, hard-working employee.

Rhymestine said, “I was honestly shocked that anyone would say that.” “I worked hard there. I have taken every shift I was asked to do; I have never called in. I did three doubles this week, and you’re going be very grateful for that. You’re going to comment about my appearance as if it changes the job.

Numerous employees confirmed her story, as well as other comments he made regarding a manager.

Rhymestine stated that Rhymestine made the initial comment about Rhymestine’s manager and called him the “Middle Eastern child”, even though Rhymestine knows his name, and has worked there for four year.

David Doble, the managing partner of the business and son to Doble acknowledged what had been said at the bar in a Facebook live lasting more than 40 minutes.\

It was an extremely egregious incident. He said terrible things. David said, “All I want to do is apologize to the staff, their families and customers who were there.”

After Saturday’s incident, he said that his 81-year old father had resigned from the company. Doble, he said, hasn’t been involved in operations for some time.

“He is not going be involved in TBBC. David said that both of his parents had agreed to leave the area.

He called the comments inacceptable and hoped that the workers who took their walk outs will reconsider returning to work.

But, Rhymestine won’t be the first to experience this.

It’s rude, it sucks. It hurt my feelings a lot, and it was very disrespectful to hear what he had to say about the other manager,” stated Casey Rhymestine.

David claimed he spoke on behalf of Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Doble could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

David stated that human resources were on-site Monday to talk with employees, and would be back Tuesday.