A bright pink sign greets customers before they enter Legends Diner in Denton. It says “Our new surcharge - $50 if I have to explain why masks are mandatory” and “$75 if I have to hear why you disagree...”
Legends owners Wayne and Kat LaCombe told the Dallas Morning News the sign is a joke. They haven't charged anyone yet, but said they will if they need to.
“I just can’t afford to get the virus. We’d have to shut our business down,” Wayne LaCombe told the paper.
The sign went up after Texas lifted its mask mandate because the owners want to keep its employees and customers safe.
Texas businesses are able to open 100%, but they also have the right to require customers to wear masks and socially distance inside their stores. Public health officials still recommend that people wear masks because of the ongoing pandemic.
Business owners have been trying to find a balance between keeping their staff healthy and dealing with customers who don't want to mask up.
For Legends Diner, the new sign has been good for business. The LaCombes said that people are stopping by the diner just to take a picture of the sign. They've also received supportive comments on Facebook from potential new customers.
"I LOVE THAT YOU ARE REQUIRING MASKS! We have never eaten there before, but after seeing the story about you charging $50 if you have to explain why masks are important, we will definitely be eating there now!" one woman wrote.
Photo: Getty Images