Culver’s owner posts viral message on teen takeover; parents respond – NBC Chicago
After a gaggle of teenagers triggered chaos inside her restaurant, a south suburban enterprise owner posted a viral video pleading with parents – and her message led to a shocking response from the very parents she hoped to succeed in.
Dawndria Murray, the owner of a Culver’s in Matteson, stated the habits had been constructing for months, however not too long ago reached a breaking level.
“They’re having food fights, they’re tearing up the bathrooms… they’re basically being disruptive,” Murray stated.
But when she took to social to clarify what was occurring, her message resonated.
What occurred
Murray stated giant teams of teenagers, usually arriving after faculty, would collect inside his restaurant alongside Cicero Avenue, creating disturbances for purchasers and employees.
The points included:
- Food fights
- Teens strolling on tables
- Vandalized loos
- Loud, disruptive habits
“I made the post because I have been trying to get the kids to behave at my restaurant,” she stated.
Frustrated, Murray posted surveillance video on social media — to not disgrace the teenagers, she stated, however to succeed in out to their parents.
“I just really wanted the parents to come together and help me with the kids,” she stated.
Murray stated the scenario was particularly troublesome given his private funding within the enterprise.
“I love my job. I put a lot of sweat and tears,” she stated.
She labored her approach up from supervisor to grow to be a franchise owner — and stated she has lengthy tried to help native teenagers.
That included shopping for meals for teenagers who could not afford meals, rewarding college students with good grades, making an attempt to attach them with tutors.
The scenario gained wider consideration after businessman and philanthropist Early Walker shared Murray’s story on social media.
“This is not an administration problem… this is a parent problem,” Walker stated. “There’s nothing town can do… The solely one that can management these youngsters are the parents.”
Parents responded
Following the posts, Murray stated one thing surprising occurred: parents started exhibiting up.
Some acknowledged their youngsters within the movies and got here to the restaurant to apologize — even providing to make amends.
“I know that parents are coming together… to have my back,” Murray stated.
They additionally started alerting different parents who had youngsters concerned within the incidents.
Parents and Murray additionally started documenting the apologies on social media.
“[Murray] told me a father came up there with his son by the collar — old school. He said he saw his son in the video and wanted to personally apologize. He also made it clear she would never have an issue with his son again,” Walker wrote to his followers, saying, “this is what accountability looks like.”
Village officers step in
Local leaders stated they’re working to forestall additional points.
“We made sure that we had connection with our schools… The parents are being proactive,” stated Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin.
Officials stated they’re working with faculties and households forward of the summer time months.
What’s subsequent
Walker is now organizing a present of help for the enterprise.
He’s inviting the group to come back out from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday to help the restaurant and its employees.
“We want to make sure that we’re showing her we’re behind her — not just telling her,” Walker stated.
