A Brooklyn coffee shop in Park Slope, New York, sparked backlash after refunding the purchase made by Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman and telling him not to come back. Goldman is running in New York’s 10th District Democratic primary, where he faces former city comptroller Brad Lander, who has accused Israel of genocide and is backed by Zohran Mamdani.
The incident happened at Poetica Coffee, after Goldman bought coffee to thank a barista who had let his daughter use the restroom. In response to criticism on social media, Goldman wrote that he had been grateful for the worker’s kindness and hoped she at least received the tip. He later said, “I bought coffee as a sign of thanks to the barista who allowed my daughter to use the bathroom. I hope she got the tip.”
The coffee shop’s now-deleted post said, “We do not serve fascists or genocide enablers here.” It added, “It’s a shame we didn’t identify you in real time because we would have kicked you out then,” and said Goldman’s $9.82 was refunded. The post also said he should not return and claimed, “That money probably came from AIPAC.”
Goldman describes himself as a “pro-Israel” candidate who supports peace. The episode drew widespread attention after the post was removed from the shop’s account.
