One of the white men involved in the viral riverboat brawl in Alabama is facing backlash online and it’s affecting his small business. Chase Shipman, who owns “Vasser’s Mini Mart” in Selma, shared his involvement in the Montgomery fight on the shop’s Facebook page. However, instead of sympathy or support, he received a wave of negative reviews, all of them giving his business a 1-star rating.
Shipman claimed that he was one of the first to try and get away from the situation. However, when people connected the dots and saw him right in the middle of the melee, they wasted no time in expressing their anger on Vasser’s Mini Mart’s Yelp page. The store received over 300 1-star reviews since the brawl went viral, with many customers calling Shipman “racist,” “liar,” and “gross.”
The negative reviews poured in, with one customer even writing, “DO NOT SUPPORT THESE MONSTERS!!!” The impact on Shipman’s business was immediate and significant, as the store’s reputation suffered a major blow.
In the aftermath of the riverboat brawl, images of the incident were widely shared online. The fight broke out when a riverboat was attempting to pull into the dock but was being blocked by individuals in a pontoon boat. The security guard tried to intervene and instruct the people on the pontoon boat to move, which escalated the situation into chaos. Videos and photos of the brawl captured the intense nature of the altercation.
While the focus of criticism has been on Shipman and his friends, many online users also praised the Black individuals who stepped in to defend the security guard during the incident. The conflicting reactions highlight the racial tensions that were evident during the brawl and its aftermath.
The negative impact on Vasser’s Mini Mart highlights the power of online reviews and the reach of social media in influencing public opinion. In today’s digital age, a single incident can quickly go viral and have severe consequences for individuals and businesses. Shipman’s experience serves as a reminder to business owners to carefully consider the potential impact of their actions on their personal and professional lives.
It is important to note that while the online backlash has affected Shipman’s business, it is crucial to separate the actions of an individual from the reputation of the business as a whole. The negative reviews should not reflect on the entire staff or the quality of the products and services provided by Vasser’s Mini Mart.
Moving forward, Shipman and his business will need to actively address the backlash they have received. This could involve reaching out to customers and publicly addressing the situation, demonstrating genuine remorse for their involvement in the brawl, and taking tangible steps to make amends and rebuild trust within the community.
In conclusion, Chase Shipman and his small business, Vasser’s Mini Mart, have faced significant online backlash since Shipman’s involvement in the viral riverboat brawl. The incident has resulted in over 300 1-star reviews for the business, with customers expressing their dissatisfaction and labeling Shipman as “racist” and “gross.” The incident serves as a reminder of the power of online reviews and the importance of carefully considering the potential consequences of one’s actions. Moving forward, Shipman and his business will need to actively address the backlash and take steps to rebuild trust within the community.