A beloved Shelter Island bakery might not be so sweet.
Eight workers — six women and two men — are suing cafe owner Marie Eiffel for sexual assault and harassment.
A lawsuit filed Friday claims Eiffel, whose Marie Eiffel Market is a celeb hotspot, “routinely spanked [employees] on the buttocks, groped female employees’ breasts, choked employees and made sexually harassing, demeaning discriminatory comments about their race.”
The plaintiffs are foreigners from Malaysia, Thailand, Colombia who worked for Eiffel seasonally for four months in 2021 and 2022
They are suing not only Eiffel, but also the New York-based company InterExchange, which sponsored them to work in the US, and, they say, did not act on their claims of abuse.
A lawsuit accuses Marie Eiffel, owner of Marie Eiffel cafe on Shelter Island, of sexual assault and harassment. https://marieeiffelmarket.com/The filing also alleges Eiffel kissed employees, withheld tips left for workers and that one worker’s arm was bruised after Eiffel pulled them in the kitchen.
“Marie acted as though she believed that such egregious behavior was funny. On at least one occasion, Marie ordered an employee to record her spanking an employee on the buttocks with a bunch of parsley while she laughed at the camera,” the suit claims, noting alleged photo evidence that appears to show Eiffel spanking someone with parsley.
For the last decade, boldfaders and tourists have flocked to Marie Eiffel Market for croissants, baguettes and Marseille-style bouillabaisse.
The filing alleges Eiffel spanked employees with parsley. marie eiffel/ instagramBradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain have visited, and Christy Brinkley raved about it on social media after enjoying tarte tatin and pommes frites al fresco in 2020.
Michael Del Piano, a partner at the law firm that filed the lawsuit — Lewis, Johs, Avallone, LLP — said Eiffel’s actions weren’t limited to a few isolated incidents.
Marie Eiffel, the owner of Marie Eiffel market in Shelter Island, is being sued for abusing workers. GoFundMe/ Save Marie Eiffel's Market“She engaged in a sustained campaign of egregious and exploitative behavior,” he told The Post of Eiffel’s alleged inappropriate behavior. “She preyed on vulnerable people who simply wanted to work and grow as individuals.”
Christie Brinkley is among the market’s celebrity patrons. She raved about its French food in 2020 on social media. Christie Brinkley / InstargramEiffel and InterExchange did not respond to The Post’s request for comment at press time.
On Tuesday, Eiffel denied all allegations to the Shelter Island Reporter.
She told the outlet that she had not yet been served the lawsuit, but after learning of claims against her, she hired an attorney. It’s unclear how Eiffel heard about the suit.
Eiffel pictured with her employees at the market marie eiffel/ instagram
Marie Eiffel Market is described on its website as a “quaint New York hotspot frequented by celebrities and casual foodies” and a “tourist attraction.” Eiffel also runs seasonal shops in Greenport and Montauk. Angel ChevresttThe employees, according to the suit, paid recruiters from InterExchange more than $1,000 each to secure admission into the J-1 visa program and receive housing provided by Eiffel.
On its website, the bakery, which opened in 2013, is described as a “quaint New York hotspot frequented by celebrities and casual foodies.” Eiffel also operates shops in Greenport and Montauk.
She told the Shelter Island Reporter that the suit may be rooted in an interaction that she had with a disgruntled employee whom she alleged stole from her home. When she confronted him, she claims they had an altercation.
Eiffel also forwarded emails to the outlet from recent, foreign employees who praised her.
“I am very grateful to have you as my boss and friend,” one read.
“I am so grateful for your support and teaching,” read another.
