Noise Prompts Monroeville Restaurant To Ban Young Kids

McDain's Owner Says 'Volume Can't Be Controlled' Under Age 6

MONROEVILLE, Pa. -- Stephanie Kelley, of Trafford, has been a weekly customer of McDain's Restaurant and Golf Center. Not any more.

The eatery on Broadway Boulevard in Monroeville has decided to stop admitting young children, and she's the mother of a toddler.

"I can't believe this. I am offended. This is just an ignorant policy," Kelley told Team 4 investigator Jim Parsons.

In an email sent to loyal McDain's customers, owner Mike Vuick wrote, "Beginning July 16, 2011, McDain's Restaurant will no longer admit children under six years of age. We feel that McDain's is not a place for young children. Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers."

Vuick explained his reasoning to Team 4 on Friday, saying, "I think it's the height of being impolite and selfish, and therefore, I instituted a policy."

The owner said he won't make exceptions with the new rule.

"Nothing wrong with babies, but the fact is you can't control their volume," Vuick said. "There may be restaurants that prefer to cater to such things. Not here."

Kelley's son, Jameson, is 13 months old. She had planned a July 16 dinner outing at McDain's with a group of 20 visiting family members from North Carolina, but Vuick told her he would not take the reservation if she plans to bring young Jameson.

"We really enjoy eating at McDain's, and Jameson is very well-behaved," Kelley said. "If they're so concerned about noise, what do they plan to do about the loud people at the bar?"

Customers who spoke with Parsons on Friday said children in the restaurant don't bother them, but they support Vuick's right to deny service.

"It's up to him. If he thinks they're a problem under 6, then I think the patrons should abide by that," Suzanne Swigart said.

"Out they go," Paul Swigart said. "if that's his determination, out they go."

Vuick said he's confident that a majority of his customers will support the new policy.

"We've had the place here for 22 years, and the restaurant for nine, and I've noticed in those nine years there are certain parents who can't leave their children at home," Vuick said.

"You know, their child -- maybe as it should be -- is the center of their universe. But they don't realize it's not the center of the universe."

Restaurants cannot ban senior citizens, because they're in a protected class under the law, but there is no law that protects children from being denied service.