Kamala Harris visited a Penzeys spice store in Pittsburgh at the weekend, ahead of her debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump.
On X, formerly Twitter, the Democratic nominee wrote: “I look forward to using my new seasonings from Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh at our next Sunday family dinner.”
A number of Republicans have since flooded the store’s Yelp page with negative reviews about the store’s political stance. The Penzeys website has an “About Republicans” page, penned by CEO Bill Penzey, in which he says there is “no way to respect the nonsense the Republican Party is promoting and have any hope of overcoming the problems we as a nation and we as a planet face.”
Directly addressing Republican voters, Penzey wrote on the company website: “I actually like and respect most of you guys. Sure, there are a growing number that are there for the racism, but I still believe the majority of you have good hearts that want to help and do the right thing. I know you to be trustworthy, and honest, and funny, and caring, and good souls. The problem isn’t what you are, the problem is what you are now voting to support.”
In light of his comments, the vice president’s visit has angered conservatives across the country.
“Nothing but haters, openly discriminating against conservatives. Such horrible, hateful people,” Ann K from Washington wrote on Yelp. “I suggest all conservatives and any democrats who are intelligent thinkers boycott this place.”
Another, Lloyd A, wrote: “No thank you! I like a company that serve all Americans not just a part of America they agree with.”
Michael M said the company is putting “politics and ignorance above everything else” and that Penzeys is “discriminatory against at least half the population.”
Newsweek contacted Penzeys for comment via email outside of normal working hours.
Others have posted in support, attempting to counter the negative reviews. “Amazing staff and service. Don’t worry about the negative reviews here,” Tony M wrote. “Half of them saw the store host a political candidate and decided to take things too far by leaving a fake review. The shop has a welcoming atmosphere and smells amazing!”
Mandel NGAN / AFP/GETTY
Penzey has previously voiced his dislike for Trump. Following the 2016 presidential election, he said in an email seen by The New Yorker: “The open embrace of racism by the Republican Party in this election is now unleashing a wave of ugliness unseen in this country for decades. The American people are taking notice. Let’s commit to giving the people a better choice.”
During her visit to the store, Harris greeted shoppers and spoke with reporters while picking up her spice selection. “People are exhausted about the division and the attempts to kind of divide as Americans, and them [Penzeys] stepping up to make this public statement, I think is courageous, but also for people like the folks I was just talking with, it really reinforces that we love our country and have more in common than what separates us,” she said, according to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.