NJ pizza shop owner defends refusal to slice birthday cake for customers
Owner Doreen Sullivan-Karcich of Joey Tomato’s said the policy that barred a party from using a knife to cut their cake was about safety, despite a viral video sparking backlash.
A short clip showing Doreen Sullivan-Karcich, the 30-year-old owner of Joey Tomato’s, rebuking a large party that asked for a kitchen knife to slice a birthday cake went viral on social media. Sullivan-Karcich told the guests that the establishment, situated on the Jenkinson’s boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, operates under boardwalk-wide safety and liability guidelines and is not a bakery or event hall. She questioned why the group expected to treat the pizzeria like a private home and emphasized the need to protect customers and staff.
The video was posted by Tom Jurkowski of Jersey Coast Emergency News, leading to a wave of online criticism. In response, the restaurant issued a Facebook statement reiterating its policy, thanking supporters, and humorously suggesting a new slogan, “We don’t do cake. We do pizza.” The remarks have not quelled the negative commentary from some social-media users.
Why it matters
The incident highlights how small businesses enforce safety rules that can clash with customer expectations, especially when amplified online.
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