Cracker Barrel apologizes for noose-like decoration at Connecticut restaurant

WINDSOR, Conn. — Customers dining at a Connecticut Cracker Barrel noticed a disturbing decoration hanging from the rafters, what appeared to be a noose.

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“Having a noose, or even having a rope tied in such a way that resembles a noose, is very traumatizing to see as a Black person,” activist Keren Prescott told WTNH. “We know the history of the country.”

Images and video of the noose were widely viewed on social media. Cracker Barrel, whose restaurants are adorned in antique décor, said the item is the cord from a vintage soldering iron and has been removed.

“We’re sorry this happened,” the chain of homestyle family restaurants said on social media. "This antique electric soldering iron has an original wrapped cord that should not have been displayed. We have removed the item from our East Windsor store. Many thanks to the guest who notified us of this so that we could correct our error. "

Some patrons said it’s not enough.

“I’ve seen the apology, honestly I don’t accept it,” Tamra Hawkins, who shared video of the display, told NBC News on Thursday. “I feel like they made an excuse, instead of acknowledging that it was a noose and it was placed in the store with a lapse in judgment.”

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Hawkins took video inside the store Sunday. While the item was hanging in the video she took, she did not see it at the time of her recording.

“While this display was unintentional, it was completely unacceptable and against our company’s philosophy of seeking to create a welcoming environment for everyone,” the restaurant told WTNH.

Cox Media Group