Threat tied to RFRA prompt Indiana pizzeria to close its doors

A pizza place that two days ago was likely unknown to most outside its small Indiana town became the target of Internet fury after it was one of the first establishments to publicly say it would not cater a same-sex wedding.

The restaurant in the 2,200-person town of Walkerton, about 20 miles southwest of South Bend, was one of the first businesses to publicly say it would do what opponents of the "religious freedom" law feared would happen. The owners of Memories Pizza, in an interview with a South Bend television station, said they would refuse to cater a wedding for a gay or lesbian couple due to religious reasons, but they said they would not deny service based on sexual orientation.

But after being thrust into the political and cultural firestorm that gripped Indiana, the business shut its doors. Police stepped up patrols around the shop.

Nevermind that it is unlikely anyone would ask a small pizza place to cater a wedding. The backlash that concentrated on the pizzeria revealed the deep, emotional impact felt by those on both sides of the legislation.

The Walkerton Police Department pleaded with residents to follow the law in a statement released Wednesday after a social media commenter threatened to burn down the restaurant.

"The Walkerton Police Department is committed to extending professional police services to all in need, regardless of said person's sexual, religious or political views," the department said in a statement. "We ask that all frustrations and rebuttals with Memories Pizza's recent media statements remain within the law."

Police said they have asked the St. Joseph County prosecutor to review the case of a local woman who commented on Twitter: "Who's going to Walkerton with me to burn down Memories Pizza."

The alleged poster of the Tweet, who is a coach at an Elkhart County high school, was suspended in light of the investigation, The South Bend Tribune reported.

Other comments surged forward too, as the business's Yelp and Facebook page amassed hundreds of reviews in two days, most of them negative, saying they believe the business is discriminatory.

The Yelp listing now notes the restaurant is closed.

The Indianapolis Star could not reach Crystal and Kevin O'Connor, the owners of the pizza place. The phone number rings to a busy signal.

Not all reception was negative, though.

Someone created a GoFundMe account for the restaurant, saying it hopes to raise money to recoup the profit losses the owners are experiencing. The page has raised more than $425,000.

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights released a statement in support of the restaurant.

"The owners of Memories Pizza deserve our support, but even those who disagree with them deserve to treat them with respect," the statement read.

Crystal O'Connor told TheBlaze, a conservative website and television network, that her family is thinking of leaving Indiana.

"I don't know if we will reopen or if we can," O'Connor told the outlet.

The restaurant became the focus of the South Bend ABC affiliate's story after a reporter walked into the pizzeria looking for reactions to the controversial law, the reporter of the story tweeted in response to a question.

"I just walked into their shop and asked how they feel. They've never been asked to cater a same-sex wedding," ABC57 reporter Alyssa Marino tweeted on Wednesday.

The ire of both locals and those in farflung corners has brought a level of attention to the small town that its residents have never seen before.

"I've been here a long time, and this is something different," a town dispatcher commented.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.