GREENWOOD — A brewery in Greenwood was forced to close early Thursday evening after a man became aggressive and threatening after an employee asked him to wear a mask.
A manager at MashCraft Brewery told a Greenwood Police Department officer the man became aggressive after he was asked to leave for not wearing a mask, according to a police report. The man then called the business and "left voicemails threatening to come to the business and assault people there."
Officers haven't been able to identify the suspect.
"At MashCraft, we take the health and safety of our staff and patrons very seriously," a statement from MashCraft read. "We are working closely with the Greenwood Police Department to continue to ensure a safe environment. All MashCraft locations will operate today with normal business hours."
Greenwood police said they have not had any other similar complaints about masks anywhere else. Officers are doing extra patrols near the business.
A sign posted on the door of the brewery asks people to wear a mask unless seated due to the state's mask mandate.
"Sorry we had to close early tonight due to violent threats toward our employees about masks. Seriously," another sign on the door read.
You can read the full statement from MashCraft below:
Thursday, November 12, we had a situation at our Greenwood location involving a patron, in which the issue of our mandatory mask policy was brought into question. After failing to comply to wear a mask and becoming aggressive, the patron was asked to leave. We later made the decision to close our Greenwood location early.
At MashCraft, we take the health and safety of our staff and patrons very seriously. We are working closely with the Greenwood Police Department to continue to ensure a safe environment. All MashCraft locations will operate today with normal business hours.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, at each of our three locations, MashCraft has complied with the mask and social distancing mandates set forth by city and state officials. Signs outlining our policy and expectations are posted throughout each location, including prominently at points of entry (images attached).
We appreciate the community’s concern for this issue and sensitivity to our staff’s privacy. MashCraft will continue to adhere to guidelines set forth by city and state officials, and ask that our patrons do their part in upholding these policies, as well.
