Charles Donners, a 60-year-old millionaire who owns a plumbing business, has been identified as the customer whose unsavory conduct at a Massachusetts bakery led to widespread outrage. The incident, which occurred on June 28 at SPoT! breakfast shop in Norwood, Massachusetts, involved Donners reportedly chewing with his mouth open, tossing food onto the floor, and ultimately flinging his entire container of food off the table.
Owner Perry Makarios shared surveillance footage of the incident in an effort to identify the customer, stating that police had initially deemed the behavior a civil matter. Donners, who is married to 61-year-old Kim Donners, owns a plumbing firm and resides in an $821,000 home in Norwood. The couple also owns a rental property valued at $1.5 million in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Makarios stated that the incident began after a 15-minute wait for food extended by an additional five minutes due to a rush of customers. He described Donners as a bully, noting that as a fellow business owner, he should have understood the realities of wait times. Donners has since been banned from the establishment.
The viral footage of the incident drew sharp criticism online. Donners' sister, Debra Schuster, expressed extreme displeasure with his actions, calling him an embarrassment and threatening severe punishment. Conversely, Donners' brother, Kevin Donners, defended him, stating the behavior was out of character and that Charles is generally respectful and a good businessman.
Makarios acknowledged that publicizing customer misbehavior is unusual but felt it necessary to "draw the line" on unacceptable conduct. Police have issued a verbal trespass warning to Donners' home, prohibiting his return to the bakery.