Holly Jones. (Facebook)
An Indiana woman has drawn the ire of the Internet after whining on an Indianapolis bar’s Facebook page that her New Year’s Eve was disrupted by a woman who had a heart attack.
Holly Jones posted on the Kilroy’s Downtown Indy’s Facebook page about 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
“The manager also told us someone dying was more important then us being there making us feel like our business didn’t matter, but I guess allowing a Junkie in the building to overdose on your property is more important then paying customers who are spending a lot of money!!,” Jones wrote.
The bar’s owner, Chris Burton, said in a response to the post the woman was not a “junkie.” The woman was revived at the hospital and survived, the manager said.
The post had led to a negative reaction from Facebook users around the world.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Jones Said Her Meal Was ‘Ruined by Watching a Dead Person Being Wheeled Out’
Jones later deleted the post. (Imgur)
The post made by Jones was deleted from the Facebook page, but screenshots quickly spread around the Internet:
I will never go back to this location for New Year’s Eve!!! After the way we were treated when we spent $700+ and having our meal ruined by watching a dead person being wheeled out from an overdose my night has been ruined!!! Every year we have come to Kilroys to enjoy New Years Eve and tonight we were screamed at and had the manager walk away from from us while were trying to figure out our bill being messed up. The manager also told us someone dying was more important then us being there making us feel like our business didn’t matter, but I guess allowing a Junkie in the building to overdose on your property is more important then paying customers who are spending a lot of money!! Our waitress when we were trying to ask about our bill being messed up also said “what do you want me to do f****** pay your bill for you?” What a great way to talk to a paying customer!!! I get that working on New Years Eve a stressful but being a complete b**** to us all night knowing you get an automatic gratuity is not right!!!”
Jones later deleted her Facebook page, but not before claiming in a second post that she didn’t write the review on the bar page. She also asked her friends to report images of the post, so that they would be removed.
“If anyone sees a post goinga round with my name on it, I DID NOT POST THAT!!!,” Jones wrote. “SOMEONE ELSE DID FROM MY ACCOUNT AND IM VERY UPSET ABOUT IT!!!! IM ASKING EVERYONE WHO SEES IT TO REPORT IT SO WE CAN GET IT TAKEN DOWN!!!! IM DISGUSTED AND EMBARRASSED THAT MY NAME IS ATTACHED TO IT!!!”
2. The Bar’s Owner Called Her ‘Cold Hearted’ & ‘Nasty’
Kilroy’s owner Chris Burton. (Facebook)
The bar’s owner quickly responded to Jones’ negative review:
Thanks for reaching out! We love feedback, whether it be positive or negative. I especially like feedback like this so others can see the disgusting people that we have to deal with sometimes. First of all, the “overdosing junkie” that you speak of was a 70+ year old woman who had a heart attack. Thankfully she was finally revived at the hospital and survived. It sounds like you were very concerned about her so I thought you should know. This poor lady, who was celebrating New Years Eve with her husband and son, had to be placed on the floor of a completely packed bar and have her shirt removed in front of everyone so the paramedics could work on her. But I can completely understand why you think being intoxicated ***holes that didn’t understand your bill should take priority over human life. I especially appreciate you making your server (who doesn’t curse) cry as well. I’m sure she really enjoyed working on New Year’s Eve just to deal with people such as yourself. I personally had to leave a show to take a phone call from an emotional manager telling me someone died at Kilroy’s and that other employees were not doing so well dealing with this. (At the time they didn’t know that she was going to make it.) So I understand how inconvenient this was to your night. But honestly, I’m glad to hear you won’t be coming back to Kilroy’s because we wouldn’t want anyone as cold hearted and nasty as you returning. I appreciate anyone who chooses to spend their money at Kilroy’s until they act like you. You can take your money anywhere else after that, and I won’t lose a second of sleep over it. Happy New Year!”
Screenshots were also saved of Burton’s post after it was deleted along with Jones’ initial post:
(Imgur)
(Imgur)
Burton told the Daily Mail police officers had to come into the restaurant and wait by Jones’ table until they paid their bill. He added that one of the men she was with gave an extra tip because of her behavior.
Another customer said she witnessed what happened.
“I was at Kilroy’s that night and witnessed the tragic event. I’m glad to hear the woman has pulled through and will hopefully make a speedy recovery. I would like to add that the employees handled the situation very well and in light of the stressful situation, held their composure. They all dealt with the situation with compassion and respect for this woman and her family. We love Kilroy’s and will continue to take our business there,” Jen Ewalt wrote on WTHR’s Facebook page.
3. The Owner’s Post Has Drawn Praise From Around the World
(Facebook)
Burton and the Indianapolis bar have received praise from Facebook users around the world, who have shared messages of support and pledged to give their business to Kilroy’s Downtown if they are ever in the city. Others said they weren’t surprised at the response from a bar they have received great service from.
“I visit Kilroy’s regularly, usually before Pacers or Indians games. I have never once had bad service or bad food here! The atmosphere and drink specials are great too. And for my birthday in 2014, they even gave me a free birthday tshirt! Keep being awesome, Kilroy’s!,” wrote Julie Dishon.
“I am so glad you put medical emergencies before you healthy customers!!!! I am from Canada and will recommend your restaurant to all my friends and family who travel your way!! Stay true to your ethics, they are outstanding!!,” Cathy Bradshaw-Toledo wrote.
“Your story made it all the way to Australia. If I’m ever in the US I’ll be sure to add your restaurant to my list of places to go,” Jess Farlow wrote.
“I always heard you awesome cheese fries. Now I know you have great management as well. You guys rock for that response to Holly Jones. I can’t believe someone so selfish and heartless had the nerve to post something like that. Even if the woman did overdose, how is money more important than a human life? I’m glad you all recognize what’s important! I’ll stop by next time I’m downtown!,” Michelle Pope wrote.
The Bitchy Waiter website called Jones the “first horrible customer” of 2016, calling Jones the most selfish person in all of Indiana, and praising Burton’s response.
“Thank you, Chris, for standing up for your staff and for publicly shaming Holly. I am happy to help. I would also like to thank Holly for living 716.10 miles away from my restaurant so I don’t have to deal with people like you,” The Bitchy Waiter wrote.
4. Jones Works as a Hairdresser at an Indianapolis Salon
A photo of Holly Jones in a Facebook post welcoming her to the salon. (Facebook)
Holly Jones works at Serenity Salon in Indianapolis, according to the salon’s Facebook page. The salon’s owner posted a statement about Jones:
Serenity Salon is aware of the most recent negative publicity surrounding one of our Booth Rent Stylist. The posting to Kilroy’s Facebook page, allegedly by one of our Booth Rent Stylist, in no way represents the views of Serenity Salon or any of our staff. We are saddened by the events that took place that evening and will continue to pray for the women who suffered a heart attack at this establishment on New Year’s Eve. This was not a company event and no other persons from Serenity Salon were present. This was the actions of one person and again do not reflect our views at Serenity Salon. We take our reputation seriously and this does not align with our code of conduct or the expectations we have for our Staff, Booth renters or any members of our team. Serenity Salon will deal with this matter internally and take whatever actions deemed necessary. We appreciate all the comments both positive and negative in this matter. Serenity respectfully request that you keep your reviews and post about our customer service and service’s that you have received in our Salon. Thank you for all your understanding in this matter.
Jones has worked at the salon since November 2015.
5. The Family of the Woman Who Suffered a Heart Attack Started a GoFundMe Account
The woman who suffered a heart attack at Kilroy’s, pictured with her family. (GoFundMe)
The family of the woman who suffered a heart attack at the restaurant has started a GoFundMe account for those wishing to help out after reading the story.
“As everyone knows my mom had a cardiac arrest on New Year’s Eve. She is in critical care ICU at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. When she does start to regain consciousness she will have a long road of recovery. The reason I started this page is to help my parents with medical bills and also to help with any needed therapy she will need. We fully believe in the power of prayer and know she will come back to us. She is a fighter and will fight to the end!,” the woman’s daughter, Tohnna Wymer, wrote.
Serenity Salon, where Holly Jones works, gave $500 to the family, and encouraged the more than 20,000 Facebook users who now like its page to follow in its footsteps and donate at least $1 to help.