A couple dined at a local Gainesville restaurant, paid their bill and walked out with a stolen bottle of wine. The next day, they were offered a unique deal with the restaurant’s owner: pay $100 to a local charity or get exposed on the internet.
Superette, located in the Pleasant Street neighborhood, opened in 2021 as a Mediterranean and Levantine restaurant and bar. Its owner, Maya Velesko, was at home with her family on Sunday when a manager told her a bottle of wine had been stolen.
After reviewing video footage from inside and outside the restaurant, Velesko found a couple had noticed a wine display as they exited the restaurant. The display is called “Blind Date with a Bottle,” where customers can purchase a mystery bottle of wine from $50 to $100.
Velesko said the couple apparently discussed the display, smiling and pointing at it. The man then grabbed a bottle, and the two exited the restaurant without paying for it. The wine bottles were clearly for sale, she added, and staff members were available to answer questions about the display.
The couple left a 10% tip on their lunch bill, Velesko said, and drove away in a Porsche.
“It wasn’t necessarily about the cost of the wine that walked out the door, but more about the sort of violating nature of it,” she said.
After viewing the footage, Velesko decided against calling law enforcement, choosing a more unique method of justice.
Around midnight Monday, Velesko made a post on Superette’s Instagram.
“To the dude that stole a bottle of wine today at 2:22 p.m., and to his date cheering him on (girllll–why?!), your faces and car are about to be put on blast,” the post read. “That is, unless you DM us to arrange making a donation equivalent to the merchandise amount to a charity of our choice. Then you can keep your anonymity. You’ve got 48 hours.”
This approach was fueled by Velesko’s beliefs in leading with empathy and community.
“The whole idea behind the story was, ‘Hey, make good on this, do the right thing, come forward, pay the charity and you get to keep your anonymity,’” Velesko said.
The next day, the thieves direct-messaged Superette on Instagram to say they mistakenly thought the bottles were free samples. Velesko gave them 15 minutes to make their donation.
Sure enough, a $100 donation was made out to Community Spring, a Gainesville-based economic justice organization.
Superette’s post went on to go viral, racking up over 1 million views. Supportive comments flooded in from across the country.
“Exemplary way to handle such a situation,” one user commented. “The push for accountability while being empathetic is spot on.”
One commenter, a Mastercard employee from New York, sent another $100 donation to Community Spring through the company’s giving portal, and Mastercard matched his donation, totaling $200.
Lindsay Kallman, Community Spring’s cofounder and executive director, learned about the deal at a staff meeting.
Community Spring reposted Superette’s Instagram post to thank the restaurant, commenting, “What an example of how to handle a situation without involving the police and supporting the community.”
The organization works to stop the cycle of mass incarceration and poverty, following principles of restorative justice. Kallman defines restorative justice as “a more victim-centered approach to repairing harm that focuses on healing rather than punishment.”
Velesko credits restorative justice with her decision to not involve law enforcement and offer the thieves a chance at growth.
“We all make mistakes, and we all have poor judgement at one time or another in our lives,” Velesko said. “Think about what outcomes we could have if people were treated with kindness, empathy, understanding and forgiveness.”
Velesko knows the names and backgrounds of the thieves, but she’s adamant about keeping them anonymous. She said she hopes they’ve learned from this experience.
Contact Vanessa Norris at vnorris@alligator.org. Follow her on X @vanessajnorris.
