New Orleans native and owner of Sandy's, a recently opened sandwich shop in the Haight district of San Francisco, Peterson Harter, suffered an unsettling encounter yesterday when a street urinator punched him in the face. The experience left him infuriated, and Harter quickly took to Instagram to open up about the incident and vent his frustrations while questioning the city's current state where such actions go unchecked.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by New Orleans Muffulettas (@sandysmuffs)

The shocking event occurred just three months after Sandy's grand opening on Haight Street, a venture that served as a physical embodiment of Harter's love and appreciation for the Bay Area community. The muffuletta shop's roots trace back to Harter's creation of the pop-up amidst the pandemic, which ultimately flourished in the regional music festival scene and throughout the neighborhood, drawing many in with its authentic New Orleans flavors and vibes.

In his Instagram post, Harter expressed his frustrations, stating, "I just got punched in the f-ing face right now by some guy that was pissing on the street, and I'm really f-ing pissed off right now." He added that the attacker managed to get away, leaving him feeling helpless and questioning when the city would be able to address such issues. Harter called out California Governor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston, asking, "What's the plan?"

Betty Yu from CBS highlighted the story of Harter's assault, pointing out his accomplishments, including the successful Sandy's pop-up during the pandemic and his excitement to have a permanent space in San Francisco. Despite this recent setback, Harter is still relentlessly passionate about operating his business within the Haight community.

The Haight district, with its funky and energetic ambiance, easily resonated with Harter's vision for creating a New Orleans-inspired haven in San Francisco. He draws genuine satisfaction from uniting the community through music, food, and culture. The Haight, with its unique aura, enabled him to channel his vibrant, New Orleans spirit, and bring a slice of that southern magic to the Bay Area.

(Sandy's)

However, yesterday's incident casts a darker cloud over the otherwise flourishing and lively Haight community. The city's crime rates and lack of action against such antisocial behavior spark questions from business owners like Harter who are seeking to invigorate the area.