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This article was published 1/4/2013 (2725 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MORRIS -- Unwelcome in their own home.

That's the atmosphere being faced by the two openly gay owners of the Pots N Hands restaurant in Morris.

Aaron Kleinsasser

While many businesses in the town of about 1,700 people were closed on Monday, Pots N Hands was still serving up what it bills as home-cooked meals.

But after just a few short months in business, multiple servings of homophobia will see the restaurant soon close its doors.

"They should get the hell out of here. I don't really like them -- the service and who they are," said Aaron Kleinsasser of Morris, as he came out of another restaurant in town. "I agree (they should leave). It makes you feel uncomfortable. I've been in there twice, I believe, and I regret it. I'm never going to go back there again."

The owner of a nearby business said he was saddened to hear the business would be closing and was surprised to hear the reason.

"That would hurt my feelings. I've got gays in the family and my friend has got a gay/lesbian/whatever," said the owner who did not want his name used, because, "I have to do business in this town."

The man said he knew Pots N Hands had only been open a few months, but said the owners' sexual orientation was not widespread knowledge.

"This is the first I heard that they were gay. I don't know something like that," he said. "It wouldn't make no difference to me. I've been there a couple of times and it (the food) wasn't my cup of tea. It was fine otherwise."

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Henry and Esther Sazwatzky

The man said he wondered if there was more behind the business shutting down.

"This is the first time I've heard of that. I'm around town. I've never heard that comment before."

Henry and Esther Sawatzky, residents of Morris since 1955, said they heard the owners were gay.

"I don't think I like that very much. And the food isn't good," Esther said, noting they had eaten at the restaurant but "not very often."

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca