Staff at a Clintonville bar say two men tore down a Pride flag hours after it was hung and then returned to smash a window with a rock, sending the place into a brief lockdown while police searched for the suspects. The incident left employees shaken but determined to keep their decorations up, and authorities are investigating the vandalism.
The flag had gone up that afternoon for Pride Month, and staff remember the moment clearly. “I stapled it here. You can see there’s still a little remnants,” Rea said while pointing to the spot for WBNS-TV. The gesture was meant as a simple show of support and community, not an invitation to trouble.
The confrontation happened late that night, around 10:45 p.m., when two men ripped the flag down in plain view of customers. Witnesses and staff stepped in and confronted them, but the pair drove off and then came back minutes later. “The gentlemen then pulled off and came back probably about five minutes later with the rocks,” she added.
When they returned they reportedly threw a rock through a window, shattering glass and forcing staff to close for the night. “Luckily, nobody was sitting there,” Rea said, “which was concerning because we were worried about safety, of course, initially.” The immediate focus became securing the bar and making sure everyone was safe.
Inside the bar were other Pride decorations, smaller flags, and a sign reading “Pride Month,” all part of a neighborhood spot that prides itself on being welcoming. ‘We are definitely a regulars bar. We are very close with our customers. We’re very accepting of everybody in here.’ That sense of community is why staff say they won’t be driven by fear into removing their decorations.
They boarded up the broken window and temporarily shut down for the night to recover and assess damage. Employees described feeling unsettled but resolute about returning to normal service and keeping the space open and inclusive. “Absolutely not going to stop us from putting up our decorations, not gonna let that intimidate us to the point that we can’t, you know, celebrate Pride,” she added.
Columbus police are investigating the incident and searching for the two men who reportedly left the scene in a vehicle. Bar staff handed over what information they could and urged anyone with video or tips to contact authorities. Meanwhile the business is repairing the damage and planning to reopen without removing the Pride displays.
Neighbors and regulars rallied quietly after the vandalism, showing up to support the staff and help board the window. The scene underscored how a single act can ripple through a tight-knit spot that serves locals night after night. The bar plans to reopen with its decorations in place and with attention to safety measures as the investigation continues.
