NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An East Nashville pizzeria owner said he's concerned comments made online could end up impacting his bottom line.
The most recent worries came from a post last month in an East Nashville Facebook group, where a user seemingly joked when he asked "let's be honest, Pizza Reale [sic]...How is this place still open?"
Paul Kaumanelis, who has run PizzeReal since it opened at 11th St. and Forrest Ave. nearly 15 years ago, said after that post, several other users chimed in at the restaurants expense.
"What they're saying on the internet is we're mafia, we're drug dealers, we're money launderers" Kaumanelis said. "It's not a good feeling at all."
He added that the comments are more than hard to read, they could damage his bottom line.
"It's difficult to run a business, you don't need people doing this to you to make it even more difficult, it's just not fair, it's not right."
But on Friday night, Kaumanelis saw the good a social media post can do, too. After his daughter posted about Kaumanelis' concerns in the same East Nashville Facebook group, many neighbors and community members packed the pizzeria to show their support for the long-standing business.
"As soon as I saw her post I said, 'I am so hungry, that is the first place I'm going,'" one customer said, referring to Kaumanelis' daughters post.
