‘We missed an opportunity’: Amelie’s addresses mistakes, vows change

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Popular Amélie’s French Bakery & Café in NoDa has recently been criticized after allegations of employee labor and wage violations, racial bias and discriminatory practices going back to 2013.

On Friday, Amelie’s addressed its past mistakes and outlined the steps it will take in the next six months on a path forward.

“We missed an opportunity at a crucial time in our community to be a part of the solution, and instead became part of the problem,” Amelie’s CEO, Frank Reed said. “I’m committed to right the many wrongs we’ve often turned a blind eye to in the past.”

Reed said Amélie’s is committed “to rebuilding relationships with organizations, individuals, the greater Charlotte community, and, most importantly, with their employees and team."

Here is a list of initiatives already in place or taking place at Amélie’s:

• Amélie’s has hired a third-party organization to conduct an organizational assessment which will include analyzing policies/practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. After their findings are presented, Amélie’s will begin implementing their recommendations immediately.
• Amélie’s will provide diversity and inclusivity training for all leadership and staff. In addition to this training, Amélie’s will also provide a clear course of action as it pertains to the ethical treatment of those experiencing homelessness within its community.
• Amélie’s has reinstated exit interviews for all employees.
• Starting in the first quarter of 2021, Amélie’s will begin asking employees about their career plans and aspirations within the company. This will enable leadership to provide training and additional resources to those who want to further their careers in the bakery and restaurant industry in general.
• Amélie’s will hire a full-time human resource professional to handle all employee concerns, hiring, etc. after the COVID pandemic stabilizes.
• Amélie’s will actively seek out small business owners and members of the Black economic system in efforts to partner with in addition to providing monetary donations to local community organizations that support diversity, anti-racism, and social justice issues.

After meeting with advocacy groups, voices on social media and listening to public comments, Reed said Amélie’s is ready to address allegations. Amelie’s highlighted some of its past mistakes:

• In 2020, Amélie’s issued a series of social media posts that were tone-deaf and problematic. The statements appeared as if Amélie’s was already working with local organizations to donate food and money to further the mission of the organizations. The organizations listed in the social media posts had not been contacted and the collaborations/partnerships were not yet solidified when the posts went live.
• In 2018, Bill Lamb (one of the original three founders of Amélie’s and a current owner) told a customer at the NoDa bakery location not to “flirt with the help” regarding three Black team members. After the incident, Bill was banned from the NoDa location and has not been involved in day-to-day business decisions since that day.
• In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor investigated Amélie’s labor and wage practices. Amélie’s paid back wages of almost $15,000 to the employees impacted. In the six years since the incident, Amélie’s has not received any formal complaints nor been investigated by the Department of Labor. The leadership that engaged in these practices left the company in 2014.

“Knowing that we have let our community and employees down is what hurts the most,” Reed said. “We’re a family. We grew and expanded and may have lost sight about the importance of communicating accurately to all of our stakeholders with dignity, respect, and accuracy. We need to focus on what it is that made Amélie’s so special in the first place, great French pastries, good food, and a welcoming and unique environment. I am committed to ensuring Amélie’s French Bakery is inclusive, supportive, welcoming and that brings joy to all people.”

Employees protest at Charlotte cafe saying they were discriminated against

Whether people have been in Charlotte for a few months or many years, they have probably been to Amelie’s French Bakery and Cafe. So many people love it for the pastries, the sandwiches and the drinks.

But last month, some employees took a stand against the beloved cafe. They accused Amelie’s of discriminating against them.

Outside of Amelie’s NoDa location, former employees shared stories of working for the company. They said the discrimination they faced was persistent through all of Amelie’s locations in Charlotte and Atlanta.

“I constantly watched people I trained here promoted while I was constantly given a reason why I couldn’t be promoted,” former employee Saminah Chapman said.

“I wanted to be here to validate what they are saying to share in the labor of holding Amelie’s accountable,” another employee said.

Employees shared how the discrimination they encountered impacted them financially and emotionally.

“It was sad to me that the place I once loved so much had treated me so poorly and created an environment that was so toxic to everyone that wasn’t white,” Chapman said.

On top of the discrimination claims, they also said Amelie’s made false claims about financially supporting groups that fight racism.

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Protesters demanded that Amelie’s change its practices, pay employees more and donate 10% of their profits to the community groups they claimed to support.

“I still have hope that Amelie’s can be better, and I hope they hear our stories and make real changes inside their environment,” Chapman said.

Channel 9 received a response from Amelie’s CEO, Frank Reed. He said many of the claims against the cafe happened six years ago under different owners and management.

“We have a lot of work to do. We’ve let too many things go unchecked and unaddressed, and we will no longer be complicit and complacent,” Reed said.

Cox Media Group