Wow, I never thought I would write a negative review for this establishment. It disheartens me so much especially as a long-term customer, small store supporter, and tolerant of all faiths.
That changed today when the female proprietor accused me of stealing. Several times she asked me if I needed something before following me to the back of the store to ask me again. Her reasoning was "I was returning to the same spot several times" -- it was twice (I couldn't decided which size ziplock bags I needed). Both my partner and I felt very uncomfortable and decided to put our items back and leave. The female proprietor followed outside to say we could still shop there. I responded she made us feel unwelcome and we left.
About 20 minutes later, I returned to discuss the situation with the female proprietor. I had been shopping at the general store for 4 years- and honestly didn't want to stop shopping there. When I walked in, I asked the female proprietor if we could talk about the situation, her response: "I'm standing right here."
I started by saying how long I've been shopping at the store and always enjoyed my experience. Today, it felt different and I felt very unwelcome. You know when someone already has their mind made up and nothing you can say changes it? That was this situation. The female proprietor said that she was just checking in and did nothing wrong. When I responded that it felt like she was insinuating I was stealing, her response was "I'm sorry you felt that way." Which everyone know is the screw you of apologies.
The conversation continued to go round and round, until I finally said that it seemed like she didn't want to take ownership and that I didn't feel comfortable shopping there anymore. Her response? "That's fine, we have plenty of other customers. We don't need ones like you." Just to clarify - wasn't stealing nor would every.
Full disclosure, this is where I (hopefully understandably) got very frustrated and said I was going to tell people of the experience. It was then that another female worker told me to get out, followed by the female proprietor saying the same thing. I left the building, and slammed the door - which I shouldn't have. I honestly have never been treated with such disrespect before. It was overwhelming.
When I got to the car (visibly upset) my partner then went in to the store. While I was not there, the gist of the situation was he was greeted with the same disrespect and after more conversation, was told to "leave or we will call the sheriff."
For two people who were just trying to patron a local store, this was a terrible situation. I understand that shoplifting is a problem there -they had signs everywhere. Which ironically minutes before this happened, I said to my partner "who would ever steal from a local store like this?"
To be treated with such disrespect is so disappointing.
After 4 years of shopping here, they have made it very clear - people like me (who was just trying to get a few items, and said she felt uncomfortable by their actions) were told never to return.
Hopefully this does not happen to you. read more