Noodle Tree owner Mike Nguyen said the continued harassment directed towards him and the restaurant, following Sunday's racist vandalism, has forced him to close the dining room.
The restaurant is typically open Thursday through Sunday. Thursday marks the first day of operation since anti-Asian graffiti was found on his storefront Sunday morning. The incident followed Nguyen's vocal rejection of Gov. Greg Abbott's recent handling of the pandemic. Nguyen, who is battling lymphoma, did not agree with the end to the mask mandate in multiple interviews with CNN.
Though Nguyen has received an outpouring of support, the agitation has also increased since Sunday. He filed a police report on Wednesday after online harassment included comments like "Hope You Die" and "Hope Your Shop Burns Down," according to the report. Nguyen also alleges death threats have been made to his home.
RELATED: Asian American groups offer support as Noodle Tree reopens this Thursday
Given the killing of eight women — six of which were of Asian descent — in Georgia at the hands of a white gunman on Tuesday, Nguyen is concerned about the safety of staff, customers and himself.
He said dine-in will not be offered on Thursday. He hopes to reopen the dining room on Friday with police presence.
Nguyen, who spoke from the restaurant Thursday afternoon, said all he's currently experiencing is support, but the threats are still looming.
"Especially with the events that happened in Georgia, I can't take that risk," he added.
READ MORE: San Antonio shields Noodle Tree owner with support after racist attack spurred by masks
The local FBI office is also aware of the situation and is standing by.
“We are aware of the incident at a local restaurant in San Antonio, Texas and are in regular contact with San Antonio Police Department," spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in a statement. "If, in the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate.”
“We would encourage anyone who believes they are a victim of a crime to contact law enforcement," she added.
Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye
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'I can't take that risk': Continued harassment forces Noodle Tree owner to close dining room - mySA
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