HarlowE MXM closed in Deep Ellum. Photo courtesy of Harlowe MXM
Deep Ellum restaurant and bar, Harlowe MXM closed on Dec. 10 following drugging allegations made by two women who visited the establishment on Nov. 25.
Earlier this month, a statement made to Harlowe’s Instagram announced the company would be conducting an investigation and assisting law enforcement in light of claims made by Nakia Robertson and Breyanna Knox, who reported feeling drunk and unwell after drinking two shots at the bar.
A toxicology report conducted at a local hospital the next day found amphetamines in Knox’s system, she wrote on Facebook.
While the restaurant has not announced any findings of the investigation, owners Cindy and Jim Hughes decided to close the restaurant for an undetermined period of time.
The Hughes’ also founded Bread Winners (now sold) and were previous owners of Henry’s Majestic.
“We have operated restaurants in Dallas for thirty years and have never experienced a situation remotely resembling this. Harlowe MXM holds guest safety in the highest regard and that will never change. We are fully committed to learning the truth along with Ms. Robertson and Ms. Knox,” the statement said.
In a Facebook post, Knox wrote she felt “spacey and nothing made sense,” after receiving several free shots at the Harlow bar. The women were taken home by a friend, and when they woke up Knox found text messages from an unknown number on her phone. The messages identified the sender as a security guard for the restaurant, Knox wrote on Facebook.
The women said they felt something “wasn’t right,” so they went to Baylor Scott & White Health for toxicology reports which flagged amphetamines in Knox’s system.
The bar has yet to respond to comments regarding the incident.
In a statement to the Dallas Observer, Cindy Hughes said the Harlowe closure is based on several reasons, “but mostly the issues all of Deep Ellum faces. Our plans for Harlowe are unclear as of right now.”
Dallas TikToker Bria Jones recently took to social media alleging that she witnessed an individual dropping pills into drinks at an undisclosed bar in Deep Ellum. Jones said she approached a group of women who were seated with the beverages and, not knowing which drinks had been tampered with, knocked the drinks over.
Jones said she was then confronted by a bouncer and was asked to leave the premises.
The Advocate will continue reporting on this story as information becomes available.
