A Hobart family business that faced boycott calls for backing the Macquarie Point stadium will give away 351 free chicken burgers on Sunday to celebrate the project’s approval.
Albert Road Store manager Mohamad Mohamad said the takeaway shop copped significant online abuse after publicly supporting the $1.13 billion stadium development.
“They’ve just tried to boycott our store and told other people to boycott because we support the stadium and they don’t,” he told Pulse.
The manager said most boycott supporters likely weren’t actual customers.
“Maybe a small amount were, but I think the majority probably never stepped foot in here before,” he said.
The Sunday giveaway holds special significance.
The number 351 honours Mohamad’s late brother Ali, a founding member of the Tasmanian Devils and diehard Ford V8 fan who passed away several months ago.
“351 is a V8 Ford engine,” Mohamad said.
“He wanted this stadium to go ahead and the team and he would have been really, really happy with the decision that was made recently.”
The 30-year-old family business has proudly displayed pro-stadium materials alongside Tasmanian Devils merchandise.
“We’re happy with that,” Mohamad said.
“Most of our customers are tradies and just regular people and they’re all for the stadium.”
The burger event follows an estimated 15,000-strong rally at Parliament Lawns in November, where supporters urged Parliament’s upper house to approve the project.
The Legislative Council gave the green light to the project just days later, with support from the Liberals, Labor and a number of independents.
The stadium is a key condition of Tasmania’s AFL licence, with the Devils set to join the competition in 2028.
Mohamad called for more respectful debate on contentious issues.
“Everyone has an opinion and a right to have their own view and that was just ours,” he said.
“People don’t have to agree but they don’t also have to be nasty about it.”
His message to opponents? “We’ll see you at the stadium.”
The burger giveaway runs from midday on Sunday December 21, with one burger per person. Supporters are encouraged to wear their footy colours.
