# North Carolina cat café owner challenges influencer’s account with CCTV footage

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/dont-lie-to-me-to-get-free-stuff-how-small-businesses-are-fighting-back-against-influencers/
- Published: 2026-11-14T12:00:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T14:47:30+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/nov/14/small-businesses-fighting-back-influencers-behaving-badly
- Topics: Business

## Key points

- A café owner used CCTV to dispute an influencer’s account.
- The response attracted more than 640,000 views.
- The influencer removed her review and apologised.

## Summary

A North Carolina cat café owner publicly challenged an influencer’s account of being turned away, using CCTV footage that appeared to contradict claims of a distressed child and dismissive staff. The episode shows how small businesses are pushing back against creators whose large audiences can amplify complaints and threaten reputations.

Nicole Flanagin said the café restricts young children’s access to the cats to scheduled sessions, helping protect foster animals. Her TikTok response drew more than 640,000 views; the influencer deleted her review and apologised, saying she posted while upset without considering the consequences.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.