‘People travelled from all over to congratulate me on the move’: Restaurant owner who banned all children under six sees boom in business



When the owners of McDain’s banned children under the age of six from stepping inside their restaurant, offended parents vowed never to eat there again.

But in a surprising twist, the eatery in Monroeville, Pennsylvania has experienced a boom in customers since the ban came into effect.

In an email to regular customers earlier this year, owner Mike Vuick said: 'We feel that McDain's is not a place for young children.

Support: Mike Vuick says the majority of people have been positive about his decision to ban children under the age of six from his restaurant

'Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers.'

Mr Vuick has noted a 20 per cent increase in business since the rule came in to force on July 16.

'To go in a positive direction of such a magnitude really surprises me,’ Mr Vuick told Channel 4 Action News.

While it has cost him some customers who are parents of young children, Mr Vuick said he has gained more visitors who empathised with his reasoning.

Closed to children: Parents were banned from taking their young children to McDain's Restaurant and Golf Center in July

Following the ban, he received thousands of letters - mostly in support of his decision.



He said: 'People came from as far away as Detroit, Columbus, D.C., identifying themselves as people to congratulate me on the move.’

The restaurant owner had described parents who bring their offspring along for dinner as 'impolite and selfish', and said he had introduced the policy after years of complaints.

Before the ban, he told ABC4: 'We've had the place here for 22 years, and the restaurant for nine, and I've noticed in those nine years there are certain parents who can't leave their children at home.

'Not a place for young children': McDain's Restaurant and Golf Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania

'You know, their child - maybe as it should be - is the centre of their universe. But they don't realise it's not the centre of the universe.'

His decision infuriated some customers, including Stephanie Kelley, who said she ate at the restaurant every week with her 13-month-old son, Jameson.

She tried to book a meal on July 16 for 20 relatives, but Mr Vuick told her he wouldn't accept her booking if she brought Jameson.

He said he would not make any exceptions. He told ABC4: 'Nothing wrong with babies, but the fact is you can't control their volume.

Offended: In July, Stephanie Kelley, who regularly took her 13-month-old son Jameson to McDain's said she was furious at Mr Vuick's decision

'There may be restaurants that prefer to cater to such things. Not here.'

A furious Mrs Kelley said: 'I can't believe this. I am offended. This is just an ignorant policy.'

'We really enjoy eating at McDain's, and Jameson is very well-behaved. If they're so concerned about noise, what do they plan to do about the loud people at the bar?'

Other customers supported Mr Vuick's decision, saying that as the patron he should be allowed to decide who comes in.