SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Rose Goute Creole Restaurant in Springfield is filled with the aroma of Haitian cuisine.

Lunchtime found the business packed with customers, long lines and not one empty table, as visitors arrived to get a taste of the rice, beans, chicken and plantains.

“I’m expecting some good savory food that I haven’t tried in the past,” Rebecca Pace said. “Looking forward to a good meal.”

Some diners came from across the country, like Jay Kiskel.

“We drove here [from Atlanta],” Kiskel said. “It took us two days to drive here.”

Others came from closer to home, including Jeff Meyung from Cincinnati, who said they want the false narrative that Haitian immigrants were eating pets to be put to bed.

“I’m just tired of the lies. I am not quite sure what’s going on, why it’s allowed to be exasperated over and over again,” Meyung said. “You can sit back and do nothing or try to come up and help a little bit.”

Restaurant owner Rosena Jean Louis said business has picked up, and the support has been overwhelming.

“That makes me happy. They say a lot of bad stuff about us,” Jean Louis said. “Then to see Americans come to support us, that makes me happy.”

Behind the cash register on shelves sit gift baskets and other items from those unable to visit the restaurant. 

“They sent me gifts. There are gifts that were delivered. I don’t even know who sent them,” Jean Louis said. 

She started the restaurant last year and despite all that’s happened with the false rumor, she said she loves Springfield and wants to continue calling the city home.

“I’m not running off,” Jean Louis said. “Some people can leave, but all I do and all I have is here.”

She hopes the people of Springfield, and beyond, continue to support her restaurant.