A Japanese steakhouse in Florida announced it is closing Friday after seven people said they were poisoned with methamphetamines last month after allegedly eating at one of the restaurant’s hibachi tables, authorities said.
On June 10, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident after three people announced through their attorney that they had tested positive for meth and were seeking answers about how it happened, the Pensacola News Journal, part of the USA TODAY network, reported.
The sheriff’s office closed the case without making an arrest because of a lack of evidence into how the seven people were poisoned. But, owners of Nikko Japanese Steakhouse in Santa Rosa County, Florida, said the backlash received on social media is causing them to close.
On Friday, the restaurant posted a lengthy message on its Facebook account announcing its closure.
“After more than ten years of serving the Pace community, we have decided to close Nikko Japanese Steakhouse,” the restaurant said. “It was determined by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s office that there was nothing linking the restaurant to the accusations, and after a clear survey by the health department, we re-open our doors. We are so thankful to our regulars who came back to support us, unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to keep the doors open.”
Owners said they have been ‘brutally harassed’ by various media outlets since initial reports
In the post, the restaurant said they were “brutally harassed” by various media outlets “who have slandered and defamed every aspect” of their business.
“Today, a family-owned and operated business is closed, 20 employees are out of work, all because of the power of social media,” the restaurant said. “We are heartbroken, but were unable to sustain the cost to stay open, when it seemed that every day, a local news outlet wanted to find something else to report on.”
“Thank you for your years of loyal patronage, for letting us celebrate your special occasions…
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