this article is from April 2008.
Well, at least at Rock Hill, NC's bbq restaurant. Owner Maurice Bessinger says he is taking too much flak about it and will replace the Confederate flag in front of the restaurant. No flag will fly.
He sells Confederate memorabilia at his other stores in South Carolina, where he is considered an icon. Local civil rights activists have urged a boycott of his stores. He received heavy criticism in 2000 when he replaced a US flag with a Confederate one in front of his Columbia headquarters. Since then, a major grocery store chain has dropped his line of mustard-based bbq sauce. (Evidently, SC bbq is mustard-based, whereas NC bbq is vinegar-based.
Maurice's has been serving food for 55 years, mostly in the Columbia, SC, area.
Last fall, Liz and I were driving to Knoxville, Tn., for the NIU-UT game and stopped at a Maurice's outside of Columbia. The place has lots of Confederate posters and pictures on the walls and sells Confederate memorabilia, although, I did not see a Confederate flag flying outside or one inside.
Personally, if a business owner decides to feature something that some find repulsive, it is their call. If you don't agree with it, don't patronize them.
Rebel If You Want to Be. --B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
