Bed-Stuy residents rally behind restaurant targeted with racist graffiti

The Bed-Stuy community is rallying behind a local restaurant after the business was recently targeted with anti-Black and racist graffiti.

“It was out on the street, on the floor, on the ground when you walk in, and it was also by the cellar gate. So it was intentional,” said Rustik Tavern owner Frantz Metullus. He says he has never experienced anything like this in the 16 years he’s owned the restaurant.

“I really didn’t know how to take it. So I tried to brush it off and just say, 'screw it.' But then the more I thought about it, the more I said, 'OK, I got to report it,” Metullus continued.

That same day, he posted the incident on Facebook -- and the community quickly reacted.

“People came to support. They showed up. It was the community, regulars, families. I don’t know what they [the suspect] intended by doing that, but I have to say it had the opposite effect, if anything. It brought the community together more,” said manager Erica Muniz.

Every day since then, the customers have kept coming back.

“I love the vibe. I come here for brunch a lot, to eat and drink, and there’s a really cool wholesome vibe here," said Car Logan, of Flatbush.

Police say they had not found a suspect as of Saturday night and that they evaded the security camera.

Muniz says the person or persons responsible failed in their intent to cause disarray.

“Whatever you were trying to do, [it] didn’t work. It just brought us together more, so I just really hope that it doesn’t happen again and everybody’s on the lookout now, so if they try it again it’s not going to be good,” she says.