The owners of Kith and Kin restaurant in Hudson, Mass., apologized for seating a party of World War II re-enactors earlier this month that included two people wearing SS uniforms reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
“A group of living historians from the American Heritage Museum dined at our restaurant,” the eatery posted on its Facebook page on Oct. 13, referring to diners the night before. “The table of eight showed up in their costumes: four U.S. soldiers, a military nurse and a couple dressed as SS soldiers.”
The restaurant said that “in hindsight, they should have been asked to change before being seated. Even though we knew they were living historians, at a time when acts of antisemitic violence continue to rise, we should have realized other diners might not be aware of the local World War ll re-enactment.”
Had those in the Nazi uniforms been spouting antisemitism, the owners said “we would never have allowed them to step foot in the restaurant. As a small, family-owned business, we strive every day to do our best and are continuing to learn and grow. Last night we fell short, and we deeply apologize.”
The World War II event sponsored by the museum in Hudson, about an hour west of Boston, featured more than 350 participants who wore a variety of costumes from Axis and Allied powers.