SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Philz Coffee is facing growing pushback online from employees and customers after a petition was made that claims to be created by baristas from the coffee shop. The petition explained that Pride flags were asked to be removed at certain locations by corporate. Comments on t he petition say the Pride flags symbolize inclusion and help create a welcoming space for both employees and customers, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities. Customers echoed that sentiment. “It would be a huge mistake because the gay population won't stand for it. We will boycott this place if that's the case,“ one customer said. “It's not as though the LGBT community and those that are under the Pride flag are only in the Castro,” another added. However, what led to the possibility of the removal of the flags remains unclear. SoCal-based Vietnamese coffee shop opens first Bay Area location A California Pride flag seen inside a San Francisco Philz Coffee shop. (KRON4 Photo) Philz Coffee storefront at 1 Front Street in San Francisco, CA. An East Bay city is getting its first Philz Coffee During a recent company summit, Philz Coffee's CEO encouraged stores to consider whether in-store displays make all customers feel included, leaving decisions up to individual locations, a manager at one San Francisco location told KRON4. The manager said the message may have been interpreted differently across stores. At a Market Street location near the Ferry Building, a manager said Pride flags were temporarily taken down during painting, with plans to install a mural. Meanwhile, employees at other locations told KRON4 they have not been asked to remove Pride flags at all, raising questions about whether there is a consistent policy across stores. Philz Coffee, founded in San Francisco and long embraced by the LGBTQ+ community, has not responded to a request for comment. The petition continues to gain traction, with employees urging company leadership to clarify its position and reinstate Pride flags where they have been removed. ...read more read less