As boycott calls grow, Crown Royal is off the menu at this Amherstburg, Ont., restaurant

David Hayes, owner of Gilligan’s Amherstburg, has made another change to his menu this year, this time in response to the closure of the Diageo bottling plant in town. The plant closure is expected to result in the loss of over 200 jobs in February.

As a result of the closure, Hayes has decided to remove Crown Royal whisky from the offerings at his family restaurant and bar. This decision was made out of solidarity with the workers who frequented his establishment and supported his business.

Earlier this year, in response to the trade war with the United States, Hayes had switched from using Jack Daniels to Crown Royal in a burger on his menu. Now, he will be taking that off the menu as well. Despite this setback, Hayes remains optimistic and is looking to collaborate with local suppliers to create a new burger option.

The closure of the Diageo plant has sent ripples of fear and caution through the town of Amherstburg. While the company has stated that the decision is not related to tariffs, the impact on the local community is significant.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently made headlines when he poured out a bottle of Crown Royal whisky during an unrelated announcement. His actions were seen as a show of support for the workers who will be affected by the plant closure.

While there have been calls for a boycott of Crown Royal in response to the closure, some, like Manitoba MLA Derek Johnson, believe that a boycott would be misguided. Johnson emphasizes the importance of supporting Canadian-made products and the workers who rely on these industries for employment.

Despite the challenges ahead, Hayes remains hopeful that the community will continue to support local businesses. He acknowledges the tragic nature of the plant closure but remains optimistic that the community will rally together to overcome this obstacle.

As the town of Amherstburg grapples with the impact of the Diageo plant closure, there is a sense of unity and resilience among the residents. Hayes and other local business owners are determined to weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side.