The owner of a Seattle bikini espresso shop is under scrutiny after taking matters into her own hands when a customer threw coffee at her. The incident, which was captured on video and shared on social media, shows Emma Lee, the owner of Taste of Heaven Espresso, smashing the customer’s windshield with a hammer following a heated argument over the price of his order. According to Lee, the customer had been disrespectful to her on previous occasions, leading to the confrontation caught on camera. Despite the customer’s behavior, Lee is facing backlash for her response to the situation.
The altercation between Lee and the customer began over the price of a 32-ounce coffee and a 24-ounce water, which amounted to $22 – a cost that the customer found to be unacceptable. Lee can be heard asking the customer to leave in the surveillance video she shared on her personal Instagram page, to which he responds with disrespectful comments. The situation escalated when the customer threw the water and coffee at Lee before driving off. In response, Lee took a hammer and smashed the customer’s windshield. Despite feeling threatened by the customer’s behavior, Lee is being criticized for her aggressive reaction to the situation.
Lee defended her actions, claiming that she felt in danger given the customer’s behavior and that she had every right to defend herself. She stated that the customer had acted inappropriately by assaulting her over the price of his drinks but questioned why her response was deemed unacceptable. Lee called the police and filed charges for misdemeanor assault against the customer, who has since been banned from returning to the business. However, the Seattle Police have not provided any further information regarding the incident, leaving many to debate the validity of Lee’s actions.
The incident at Taste of Heaven Espresso has sparked a debate over the appropriate response to customer disputes and the use of force in self-defense. While Lee believes that she was justified in defending herself against the disrespectful customer, others have questioned whether her response was disproportionate to the situation. The viral video has generated mixed reactions from the public, with some condemning Lee’s actions and others supporting her right to protect herself in a potentially dangerous situation. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that small business owners face in dealing with difficult customers and highlights the need for clear policies and procedures to address such situations in a safe and legal manner.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains unclear how the legal system will address the incident at Taste of Heaven Espresso. While Lee is standing by her decision to confront the disrespectful customer, the public’s response to her actions has raised important questions about the boundaries of self-defense and the consequences of using force in a heated altercation. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for business owners and customers alike, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution strategies to avoid potentially harmful confrontations. Ultimately, the incident highlights the complexities of customer service and the challenges that small business owners face in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for their patrons.
