Sunny Honey Boba & Desserts reopened the day after an incident that left its staff shaken and damaged equipment at the Salt Lake City shop. Two days after the incident, neighboring business owners brought food and support for the employees.
The confrontation followed repeated requests from a former customer for a cup the shop no longer sells, according to FOX 13 News Utah. The station reported that surveillance video showed the customer throwing chairs and items from the counter toward employees. Staff removed her from the shop; the drive-thru speaker system was damaged and an iPad was taken, FOX 13 reported.
The shop is at 535 North 300 West, just north of downtown near Capitol Hill. Owner Cassie Vu estimated the property damage at $5,000 to $6,000, FOX 13 reported, and told the station that the impact on employees, including younger workers, mattered more than the cost. Staff cleaned up overnight before reopening the next day.
Police Cite Possible Mental Health Factor
FOX 13 reported that Salt Lake City police found the suspect nearby and charged her with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct; additional charges remained possible. Sgt. Greg Wilking told the station that police had limited history with the suspect but knew of similar incidents in which she had been removed from other establishments. Wilking said police believed there might be a mental health component to her behavior. FOX 13 said it chose not to identify her because of that possibility.
What the Police Community Connection Team Does
The Salt Lake City Police Department describes its Community Connection Team as linking frontline police work with social workers and case workers, service providers, and people or families in crisis. The department’s materials do not indicate that the team was involved in this incident.
Salt Lake City police located the suspect nearby after she left the business and charged her with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, FOX 13 reported, noting that additional charges tied to the arrest remain possible. Sgt. Greg Wilking told the station that police have had limited history with the suspect specifically but are aware of similar incidents in which she was removed from other establishments. Wilking said police believe there may be a mental health component to her behavior, and FOX 13 said it decided not to identify her because of that possibility. A Citizen incident listing says a 911 caller reported an unconfirmed incident at 535 N 300 W in July, though it is not established whether that call involved the same individual. Salt Lake City police's Community Connection Center opened in 2016, while its co-responder model has operated for three years.
Fellow Entrepreneurs Show Up With Bread
FOX 13 reported that Klara Han and Josh MacDonald, co-owners of the Korean bakery Kyookie, brought sweet bread for Sunny Honey’s employees. Han said they wanted to provide food and help staff feel cared for. MacDonald said support among small businesses meant a lot and that Sunny Honey had community backing.
FOX 13 reported that Kyookie is planned to open a location in Salt Lake City’s 9th and 9th neighborhood.
The quick response also points to a broader pattern among the city's independent food scene. Salt Lake City's independent food scene includes businesses that share customers through partnerships and collaborations. Local entrepreneurs also supported Sunny Honey's staff after the ordeal.
