Texas Mattress Store Receives Death Threats Following 'Twin Tower Sale' Ad
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CBSNewYork) -- A mattress store in San Antonio, Texas, is apologizing after releasing video promoting a "Twin Tower" sale ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
San Antonio Express-News reported Miracle Mattress removed the video from its Facebook page following backlash. The video showed store manager Cherise Bonanno and two employees standing in front of two piles of mattresses, symbolizing the World Trade Centers.
"What better way to remember 9/11 than with a Twin Tower sale?" Bonanno said in the video.
At the end of the video, the two employees fell into the stacked mattresses.
"Oh my God," Bonanno screamed. "We'll never forget."
Bonanno apologized for the "stupid" ad.
"It was a stupid idea that we sent out and we apologized for our stupidity and we really hope you forgive us for what we have done," she told WOAI-TV.
According to WOAI, the store was closed on Thursday due to death threats.
"We are hate, we are love. We are somebody that stands out. We are Miracle Mattress – we make miracles happen," Bonanno told WOAI. "And for our lives to be in danger, that's not what we ever wanted."
The company also apologized in a letter posted to its Facebook page.
"I say this unequivocally with sincere regret: the video is tasteless and an affront to the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. Furthermore, it disrespects the families who lost their loved ones and continue to struggle with the pain of this tragedy every day of their lives," store owner Mike Bonanno said in a statement.
The store is going to donate 30 percent of its sales this weekend to the 9/11 Foundation.