Yesterday, TLS first reported that Snaps restaurant would be banning boys under 17 years old from sitting at the eatery on Thursday’s without an adult – and it created a firestorm.
Snaps owner Yussi Weisz tells TLS since the publishing of our story, he has been inundated with messages – some hateful, and many supportive.
In response, police were hired to stand guard at his shop to ensure there are no issues.
Some accused Yussi of not supporting boys on the fringe, to which he responded showing his Shabbos program which has encouraged numerous teens to keep Shabbos.
Weisz told TLS exclusively yesterday that it was not an easy decision, but he did what he had to do.
Earlier today, he released the following letter (published in earlier story as well).
In response to the post, Weisz says an anonymous donor said he would be paying for free Cholent (while supplies last) this evening for all fathers who shops and sits at Snaps with his son (as first reported on TLS Status).
I don’t understand what happen by snaps
Deja-vu?
https://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2018/11/breaking-snaps-restaurant-hires-armed-security-after-hundreds-of-anti-semitic-comments-in-response-to-vaccination-tweet-photos.html
As someone who lives in a small out of town community with a few shuls and a community kolell… this whole situation sounds awful and a nightmare and a really sad place to live. Makes me really happy that none of the teenagers in our town in any of the restaurants or stores I have ever been to (or any of my friends or relatives ever told me about) are throwing food at adults or vandalizing their cars, that includes virtually all the goyim as well.
probably the restaurant in your community close at 6 like most OOT places. This problem only exists at late hours
To Dovid Cohen.
It’s good that you’re grateful. But no need to be cynical or let imagination run wild. No one is throwing food or vandalizing cars. The reality is, that Lakewood in its huge growth has thousands of teenagers. Some are struggling, most are not.
Regardless if their religious level, children shouldn’t be unsupervised in any establishment.
Yossi Weisz is not an unpaid babysitter.
Dovid Cohen, don’t worry, it’s not so bad here. I’ve lived in Lakewood all my life and never saw that kind of behavior in the many many stores here. Most kids and adults are polite and normal. But apparently Snaps became a hangout and attracted some troublemakers, so the owner took some common sense steps to improve things for his store.
Thank you Dovid Cohen for sharing that with us. We’re so happy to hear that in your town all the teenagers behave nicely.
Snaps, I salute you. Not only do you serve good food, but you serve common sense. You need to keep a place of business that all of your customers will feel comfortable in. And those who know, know. Yussi & Snaps are great supporters of ALL of our youth.
David Cohen were so proud that in your town everyone is sitting on they’re technology and have no time to go outside but in technology free Lakewood ppl need to get out sometimes and hangouts can occur but it’s not a regular thing and at least we’re not causing a chillul hashem on social media
Since when is Lakewood a technology free town?
I see why you are PROUD!! If only you would know the problem of technology maybe you would change your mind!!!!!!!
How about instead of being upset with the owner, TEACH YOUR BOYS BETTER.
To Dovid Cohen
Sure, the teens in ur town behave nicely.
That’s because Lakewood, as a whole, opens its collective heart, homes and mosdos for the misbehaving teens of the world.
So, ur right. The teens STILL in ur town behave nicely; all the troublemakers are here.
Which is fine.
We got you.
I think Mr. Cohen lives in Jackson, lol!
I find the whole thing bizarre. I’m assuming the place was turning into a out of control hangout and threatening the friendly and welcoming atmosphere? Otherwise quite an extreme measure. Is this what Westgate has become? Sad
Obviously having to have police presence doesn’t bode well. I hope it works out for Yossi
I was a teen in Lakewood who struggled in the past and I would like to say seeing first hand what happens when you put a bunch of unsupervised teens in any place (drugs-girls-fights-worse) i Respect any restaurant owner who stands up to these things and want to personally say he should only see blessings and good come from his actions.
This is very bad long term marketing decision.
All boys of this age group will have a vendetta against this store for years to come.
Short term it’s not that bad. A bad Ad is still an Ad.
Mr. Weisz, I’m completely blown away by your Shabbos gelt. I’ve never heard of a more beautiful program. Jealous of your s’char!
@Mick Rick, in the future, when these kids grow up, they will be grateful to Yussi Weisz. Yes, for putting his foot down and showing them respect.
I know yossie for many years. He has a heart of pure gold. I know first hand of what he has done secretly for people of this town financially and spiritually. Are you 100% believe if he had to make this decision he had no choice and it pains him more than anyone else who is angry about it.
This has been a gradual development. Over a year ago, on my way out of Snaps with my 11 year old son, some teenage boys hanging around lit a firecracker and threw it in our direction. They didn’t mean to hit anyone with it and “just” meant to enjoy scaring people. To many people that’s obviously wrong. To bored, unproductive teenagers, that’s a mild way of having fun. It exploded a few feet in front of us but a piece hit my son’s face next to his eye. I went back in and told Yossi. He ran out and dealt with them. No business can survive with these incidents on a regular basis.
Btw, I know otd kids who moved out of Lakewood. They came to visit for a few days and I met them in Snaps getting a free meal for keeping a Shabbos in Florida!
I know R’ Weisz personally from when he opened the original Yussie’s on Clifton Ave. A bigger mentsch with a bigger, warmer, more welcoming heart and personality couldn’t be found anywhere. He has helped THOUSANDS of people in all types of situations, schtileheit with no fanfare and no one knowing about it. He’s an emmes’e mentsch who truly cares! Ashreicho R’ Weisz – may the Ribon kol Olamim pay you back b’kefel kiflayim.
Although I live in Brooklyn, I would purposefully come to Snaps on a Thursday night and accompany a 17 year old that had no other adult to eat with him. L’shem misva.