Café Owner Slammed Online For Forcing Family To Leave After Child Had Tantrum

The incident, which is the first of its kind in Dalloste's eight-and-a-half years of running the establishment, was captured on video by another customer and quickly went viral.

Dalloste explained to the Townsville Bulletin that the situation escalated when two children got upset over having to share a single gelato. 

He described how one child reacted violently, knocking over decorations and throwing a steel flask on the tiled floor. 

Dalloste, said it was the first time in his eight-and-half years of operating that he asked a family with children to leave his store. Credit: Facebook

After the tantrum which lasted for about 15 minutes, Dalloste felt compelled to step in. 

He stated, “I only intervened because the children were vandalizing the shop and disrupting other customers.”

However, another customer, Laura Edwards, disagreed with Dalloste's actions. 

In the video recorded earlier this month, mother Laura Edwards criticized the decision, deeming it “absolutely disgusting.” Credit: Facebook

She argued that the incident was blown out of proportion.

She said: “It wasn’t a meltdown or tantrum; my kids make more noise than these kids do."

"It was just a grizzly kid needing some help to sort through his emotions at the time.” 

Adrian and Michele Dalloste run the cafe. Credit: Facebook

Edwards, who found herself arguing with Dalloste, recounted him saying, “We’re not a creche.” 

She felt justified in defending the family, considering herself both a parent and a customer.

Dalloste mentioned that the family was initially reluctant to leave and he had to warn them of potentially calling the police. 

Adele's Cafe is in Horseshoe Bay. Credit: Facebook

Since the incident was shared online, Dalloste has received support from the public. 

One person commented in his favor, “Good on the business owner, I would have done the exact same thing."

"He has a duty to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience."

"I have kids and when they were little, if they carried on like little brats I would have packed up and left out of the respect for others.”