Robust Coffee Lounge In Hot Water Again For Employee Berating Man Being Given Food By Customer

Ald. Jeanette Taylor reported Robust Coffee House to city agencies after a patron claimed staff berated a man receiving food from another customer outside the café. This incident, which occurred in late August, reignited previous complaints about the café's treatment of Black residents and unhoused individuals in the Woodlawn community. Taylor stated that complaints about Robust have persisted since at least 2019, when the café faced criticism for asking Black children to leave and involving police in that incident. The café's owner had defended the practice by saying that one person's behavior could affect the whole group, dismissing accusations of racism as “sensationalism.

” Community members have expressed ongoing concerns about staff's disrespect towards young and unhoused patrons. A former teacher noted that students were advised not to patronize the café due to mistreatment. Robust's owners have not commented on the latest allegations, while a social media post from an owner accused the complainant of lying. Taylor insists that accountability for treatment is crucial, regardless of socioeconomic status or race.