ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Proprietor of the popular Jo Jo’s Jerk Pit in St Andrew, Anna Chin, says her lawyers are exploring “all available legal options” in response to attacks on social media against her and her husband by patrons who refused to pay to enter the venue.

Jo Jo’s is home to a very popular Karaoke Night at the pit every Thursday at its Waterloo Road location in St Andrew.

But, Chin said that she is “absolutely shocked” by the “misleading and malicious” social media posts that followed an incident involving three patrons last Thursday night, two of whom refused to pay the $1,000 entrance fee.

“For at least the past three years we have had a cover charge of S1,000 for Karaoke Night. There were signs, barriers and a table with an attendant clearly showing that there was a cover charge.  The charge is redeemable as customers can use the ticket to cover the cost of their food or drink,” she pointed out.

She said that her husband, Paul Chin, who has throat cancer and is unable to speak clearly, politely approached one of the patrons Thursday and indicated that they needed to pay the entrance charge.

“The Patrons became boisterous for around 10 minutes and, to the shock of us and our many customers, they went on to lambast my husband and I in a most demeaning manner, including loudly referring to us as Chinese mongrels,” she explained.

She said that to make matters worse the abusive patrons started posting “misleading and malicious social media posts” about her and her husband after they left the venue.

“We have engaged our attorneys to explore all available legal options, to effectively confront these most malicious and unfair attacks,” she said.

“Many of our customers have communicated their disgust about the behaviour of the boisterous patrons, and we thank them and many others for their comforting words and advice.

“Jo Jo’s will and has always been a place of love, food and fun with a strong, vibrant and diverse clientele. We have been operating our restaurant and bar for approximately nine years. We were born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and have 35 wonderful employees,” she added.

Balford Henry