Brad Keeler runs a restaurant in San Diego called Nomad Donuts. Dozens of people enjoy ordering coffee and sweets from this beloved local establishment.
Ray Taylor is one of those people who enjoy Nomad Donuts. Ray is a homeless person who spends a lot of time outside the store, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ray’s presence in front of the bakery didn’t bother anyone, especially not the owner. Brad felt sympathy for the man. Unfortunately, no one else shared the same sensibility.
Much to his surprise and dismay, Brad discovered that someone had left them a one-star rating on Yelp, the popular review site. Yelp reviews are often the first thing people see when researching a business on the internet.
A bad review can seriously hurt a business. What makes the bad review Brad received so unpleasant is that the reviewer complained that Ray was near the bakery.
Brad told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he thought carefully about how to respond to the negative review, but decided to do so professionally. He noted that Ray is a good man who has had a tough time.
A combination of financial difficulties and medical issues have forced him into the situation he finds himself in. Brad mentioned that he might lose some people’s stuff because Ray lives across the street from the store, but Brad doesn’t care. Ray is welcome at Nomad Donuts for as long as he wants.
Brad’s response to the Yelp review eventually went viral. Public support poured in.
People saw Brad as a good man whose actions did not deserve unfair criticism. Ray also felt moved by the outpouring of public support. Ironically, the negative review helped boost Nomad Donuts’ business, and it deserves it.
More importantly, the story raised awareness of the plight of the homeless. It also puts a human face on someone who struggles every day. Maybe Ray will get some help from the public soon.
