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Australian pizzeria owner's candid message to customers garners praise

Photo from Gaslight Pizza/Facebook
Photo from Gaslight Pizza/Facebook

When Australian pizzeria owner Blake Pendlebury won a $250,000 AUD ($246,529 CAD) prize at a racetrack, he decided to have a few drinks to celebrate.

As the night continued, Pendlebury noticed he probably had one too many drinks and was stuck with a dilemma. He asked himself whether he should open his Gaslight Pizza restaurant while not feeling his best or just shutter the doors for a day. Pendlebury decided on the latter and announced his decision on the pizza shop’s Facebook page with a post last Friday.

“It is with bittersweet emotions that I must inform you all that Gaslight is closed tonight,” Pendlebury said. “I am at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast and a horse that I have a share in has just won a big race and I have had a few drinks and cannot make it back into work.”

The restaurant owner explained that he didn’t have someone to take over in the kitchen and wouldn’t want to disappoint his customers with subpar food.

“I realize this is highly unprofessional, and I have not taken the decision lightly,” he added.

In his post, Pendlebury assured customers that his restaurant would be opened the following day and added that he hoped they would continue to support his business.

“Once again, I apologize, and have a great day, even though it can’t be made greater by eating at Gaslight,” he wrote.

Customers appeared to appreciate his honesty, and several took to Gaslight’s social media page to congratulate Pendlebury for his candor.

“Like & appreciate your honesty. Congratulations!” one Facebook user wrote.

“That’s possibly the very best ‘sick note’ I’ve ever seen! Congratulations on both fronts,” said another commenter.

Since the post went up on Jan. 13, it has gone viral, with Pendlebury and his pizza shop picking up fans around the world. With his new cash winnings and international interest in his restaurant, it might be a good idea for Pendlebury to finally invest in some more staff to work in his kitchen.