A Memphis florist who refused to serve customers who voted for President-elect Donald Trump has been forced to close up shop temporarily after receiving nasty backlash over her decision.
Everbloom Design owner Kristin Wolter announced her shop would be closed through the end of the week “due to threats to me and my business” since laying down her controversial sales policy last week, according to the Daily Mail, citing a statement on the business’ now-private Instagram.
“I knew standing up for what I believe in would have consequences,” she wrote in a statement about the closure. “They are showing their true colors and lack of decency and humanity.”
But some thought it was Wolter who showed the lack of humanity.
“I won’t do business with people who support the president-elect,” she said in a video posted to her shop’s Instagram, which was made private after the clip went viral on social media.
“It is because I need to create a safe place for me, my staff, and my family,” she added.
On Monday, Wolter shared some of the vile voicemails she received since making her announcement — with callers phoning in from across the country to express their views in no uncertain terms.
“Hey Lady, you are one dumb c–t,” a caller from Texas said.
“Being hateful is gonna backfire on your ass, bitch,” another from Georgia seethed.
“Take your f–king ugly face and your f–king ugly glasses and your disgusting family and go cry because we won, we won, this is MAGA country for at least four years, suck it up, buttercup,” a Chicagoan said.
“Hey stupid f–king c–t you blew up your own business,” a caller from Minnesota said. “Here’s your f–king safe space, you’re not gonna make your mortgage this month and you’re f–king business is gonna go down to f–king nothing f–k you bitch.”
Some accused Wolter of discrimination and threatened lawsuits, but in Tennessee, they would have little legal ground to stand on.
Businesses in the Volunteer State have the right to refuse service so long as their reasoning does not violate the Human Rights Protection Act of Tennessee.
Groups covered include age, race, and gender — but political belief is not a protected class in Tennessee.
The state overwhelmingly voted for Trump on Election Day, but Memphis’ Shelby County was one of the few places across Tennessee that backed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Wolter has previously expressed disdain for Trump supporters.
“I will make it perfectly clear. I will not do any business with or support anyone that supports Trump. The lives of my children depends on it,” she wrote on Instagram in July, just two days after the former president was wounded in an assassination attempt.
And late on Election Day, she expressed dismay over his impending reelection.
“I just can’t. I’m going to throw up. What do I tell my girls tomorrow?” she said.
Everbloom Design’s social media pages have been made private since the post blew up, and calls to the business went straight to voicemail.
