Gardner's Market — Restaurant in Cleveland

Bottom line upfront: The owner the type of person who doesn't pay it forward and is the type of person who will berate someone in public. Would not recommend.

My wife, 8 month old baby, dog, and I went here to get lunch one day when visiting Cleveland for a few hours. The dining room was closed (presumably to Covid concerns) but they had an open table on the sidewalk that we decided to use. I desperately needed to use a bathroom but since the interior of the restaurant was closed I couldn't use their bathroom. Ok well I decide my wife can get a sandwhich from Gardner's, so we can sit at the table and give our baby her noon bottle, and I'll go next door get a sandwich there and use a bathroom. Not ideal but best solution we could figure in the moment. (note, there's no public bathroom nextdoor, not sure how that's legal).

After we both have our sandwiches and are about to start giving our daughter her bottle the owner comes out to unpolitely order me to leave. He said my wife, daughter, and presumably our dog could stay. But I had to leave. I was left speechless and a customer at another outdoor table was also left aghast.

I get it, what we did was not ideal. But one would think that someone in the CUSTOMER SERVICE industry would see the big picture and pay it forward to a family and paying customer. Was it really that big of a deal to you? We could have been repeat customers, but we'll never go here again nor will I ever recommend this place to anyone. The owner's outburst may have even cost him the other customer seated nearby.

Or he could've just let me use the bathroom from the get-go.

Also, hope everyone enjoys this jerk's reply - I'm sure...

This is one of the best places to eat and relax in Cleveland. They treat their guest like family. They offer the chance to personalize each and everyone of their customers. I call it my to go place when i need to sit and regather my thoughts to refresh my mind and spirit. Well guess what? First impression can definitely be decieving. I tried out a job there for a day i could have not been more wrong. I walked 6 hours all the while the customers were complaining that they were regular customers but they still get mustard when they intensely said no mustard. I went to get my pay on payday. I brought the apron back, the bum petrified nasalizing owner of the joint jerked the apron from my hand, said he didnt do payroll yet. I knew right then that he was not gonna pay me. That i have been totally used. Im on social security with a ticket to work prevolige. They told me to keep walking and most of the customers didnt want me to keep walking. It was annoying for me and the customers. That mans little wife seems to be brow beaten. She is way to good for that bum. I worked there the second week in august, still not paid for that humiliating day and its October now. I think i will take him to court for that $36 and let him be humiliate. Shoe on the other foot. So Jimmy you are very dimmy you are a. filthy bum. I made good tips that day they told me to put them in the box and people trying to slip me money but i put it all in the box. And did not get a tip either. Jimmydimmy needs to be ashamed of his...

The owners response to this review is a lie in order to not look bad to people who look this place up! The man I am referring to is not a manager, he was the OWNER and he did not get suspended. I know this for a fact because I have spoken with people that work at this establishment.* I was very displeased with my experience at Gardner's Market. While the food was good, and most of the actual employees were nice, the owner was anything but that. Halfway through our meal, my conversation was interrupted with loud, angry yelling. The owner had gotten upset with his workers for something that seemed small (I couldn't tell what) and he was yelling at them all in front of the customers! The whole restaurant was staring and clearly confused why this man was being so rude/ causing a scene. He even got in one employee's face/ personal space while she was sweeping to specifically scream at her. I felt so bad for all the employees. The owner went on for 4-5 mins yelling nonsense at his employees about how they don't learn and they don't know how to work.The owner's reaction to whatever he was upset about seemed very irrational & immature. Unfortunately, I would NOT recommend Gardner's. I am bummed that I even paid money to this establishment that belittles their employees in front of customers & does not treat staff...