Root Beer Incident Sparks Social Media Firestorm at Ontario Center Mall

Joe Lyons • February 25, 2025

Root Beer Incident Sparks Social Media Firestorm at Ontario Center Mall

ASHLAND, OH – A family outing turned controversial Saturday afternoon at the Ontario Center – formerly known as The Richland Mall – when local business owner Tonie Sweeney was accused by a mall security guard of consuming alcohol. In reality, Sweeney had purchased a root beer from YummY Treats Candy & MORE, an allegation that has since ignited a firestorm on social media with some dismissing the episode as satire.

According to a news story on Appleseed News called, “Rootbeer gets family kicked out of mall” the incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Sweeney, who operates Ashland Muffler House with his business partner Martin Seitz, had been at the mall with his family while waiting for their table at Texas Roadhouse.

“We just went to the candy store, picked up some treats and a couple of root beers – the 4pack container clearly labeled as non-alcoholic – and then sat down on a bench,” Sweeney recounted. “Out of nowhere, a security guard stormed over, accusing me of drinking alcohol. I even showed him the bottle, but he insisted he had received a complaint. The situation escalated quickly, words were exchanged and he threatened to escort me out.”

An officer from the Ontario Police Department confirmed that Sweeney was ask to leave per the security guard request, noted that his interaction with Sweeney was entirely cooperative, He even apologized to the officer for wasting his time.

Mall management has since addressed the controversy. Crystal Tolliver, representing the mall, explained that PSC Security out of Los Angeles, CA had been contracted to secure the premises – did not follow the strict protocols requiring higher management confirmation before any removal actions. Tolliver added, “This is a family-friendly environment, and we regret that the security guard actions, as applied by PSC Security, led to this misunderstanding. In fact, PSC Security company had been let go three weeks prior due to a contract termination unrelated to this incident.”

Tolliver also outlined plans for revitalizing the mall, including a multi-million dollar overhaul of the food court, the introduction of an arcade and a health food store, and transforming Victoria’s Secret into a mini mall designed to incubate new startups. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all our patrons,” she said, noting that a new security firm, Signal Security, will be taking over operations.

The incident even had, YummY Treats Candy & MORE reach out on their Facebook page on February 18, 2025, asking customers to come forward:
“Ontario/Mansfield location customers! I’m looking for a customer that visited our location at the Richland mall on Saturday and was escorted out of the building because you were drinking ROOT beer you purchased from us. Please reach out so we can make this right! Please share and help us find the man and his family!”

In a related twist, police reports, during this incident reported the guard located and identified the person’s that were walking around with alcohol beverage involving an Hispanic couple seen with Twisted Tea at the mall, a practice reportedly legal in Texas but not in Ohio – they were not removed from the premises they were asked to dispose of the beverage.

As the story continues to circulate online, community members and social media users remain divided on whether the security guard’s actions were justified or merely a case of overzealous enforcement on private property. Meanwhile, authorities and mall officials are reviewing security protocols to prevent any similar misunderstandings in the future.