Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
A string of anonymous calls this summer threatened to “break the windows” of their immigrant-owned restaurant. But this Thanksgiving, the owners of Annie’s Cafe are answering with kindness, welcoming anyone in need of a free meal. “There’s too much hate between people,” said Annie Bennett, co-owner of the French-inspired restaurant in Bountiful. “I will never stop helping.” Bennett, a U.S. citizen, said she emigrated from Argentina three decades ago and intentionally employs several other Latinos at the cafe. This Thanksgiving will be the first time they’ve offered free meals on the holiday, she said. The announcement follows a scare in June that left her and her employees shaken. That scare involved an unknown man falsely identifying himself as immigration enforcement and calling and threatening the cafe. He demanded information about Bennett’s employees, she previously told The Salt Lake Tribune, and said he was looking for “Jose.” Bennett said she’s never employed anyone named Jose. Bennett refused to comply, and that’s when the man threatened to come to the cafe, “break the windows” and take all the “Latinos out,” she said. Bennett made a report to the Bountiful Police Department. Officers investigated, but were unable to identify the caller, Bountiful police Lt. Andrew Smith previously told The Tribune. Three or four more threatening calls followed, prompting some employees to feel anxious about showing up for work. But the calls have since stopped, Bennett said. “We move on and we focus on the positive things.” For her, that means gathering together, sipping hot chocolate and sharing a warm meal on the holiday. “I think if each of us does a little bit, we can make somebody’s day more easy,” she said. Bennett will open the cafe on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) and serve sit-down meals — though the menu will look a bit different from her usual crepes and croque madame sandwiches. Instead, she’ll be preparing a traditional American Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings. Anyone in need can eat for free, no questions asked, though Bennett does ask that those who are able call ahead, so she can better estimate how many diners to expect. Bennett said she decided to serve free Thanksgiving meals this year because she feels that so many are struggling right now — especially with food stamps halved this month amid the government shutdown. “Us, as restaurant owners, it is trouble, but we’re not giving up,” Bennett said. “I want to make sure that everybody has a hot meal and a place to stay warm and just be together.” As for how she is able to provide all the free meals, she said it’ll be business as usual. “How are we going to do this?” said Bennet, “The same way that we do every single day. We’re going to open the doors of our restaurant … and I’m going to be cooking and serving.” Annie’s Cafe is located at 74 W. 500 South in Bountiful and can be reached by phone at 385-327-3737. If you’re interested in a free Thanksgiving meal, it’s not too early to call so the team can “prepare accordingly.”
