Lily G.
Yelp
I sincerely hate having to leave this. Updating my review to note to other customers, prospective or present, about the hostile and abrasive treatment I received from another customer inside the store today in hopes that it will be addressed and/or taken note of. I know it's probably nothing that the store owner can help (I would never ask John, the owner, to intervene - in fact, other customers tried to do so today and were also mocked by the offending customer, who seemed much more intent on creating an unnecessary altercation than engaging in a calm discussion).
I was waiting for John to come to the counter and noticed a trio of customers talking near the counter. I come in frequently and regularly see customers engaged in conversations by the tables and standing around the store, as it's a small space. Today, there was nowhere else to stand, as the tables were fully taken and one of the men talking had his bike with him. I stayed to the side by the entrance waiting my turn. John was assisting a woman standing with the trio, who kept up their conversation as she checked out at the counter and left. I looked to the gentlemen to ensure they weren't also in line, waited a bit longer, and they kept on talking. I then slowly went up to the counter to order, figuring that they had already been served or were just conversing amongst themselves (with nowhere else to stand or sit). I asked John for a recommendation to help with a current illness I'm fighting - after he suggested some food and I had been standing at the counter for a few minutes, one of the duo addressed me and became directly belligerent, stating that I had cut in front of them. I was so surprised - that was not the intention whatsoever, so I deeply apologized and let him know I had waited a bit and incorrectly assumed that they had already been helped. An honest mistake. Unfortunately, he kept going. All that was needed to be said was, "Excuse me - we're in line". Instead, he berated me and insinuated that I was an anti-masker (I'm not) amongst other items, and was getting pretty heated in front of the entire store. It got to the point where I felt I was being accused of racism, and it was deeply upsetting, as that's not who or what I am whatsoever. I tried to speak calmly to the gentleman and explain I made a mistake, but it kept progressing with anger. I knew there was nothing else I could do, so I quickly got my food and left before it got even worse.
I have come in here many times (not as frequently as of late because I've been super COVID-conscious and have been careful with small spaces, but am slowly starting to venture back out without a mask on while I'm not working) and dearly love this place of community - and John. His cooking and care of the community is amazing, and I have come here most gratefully whenever I have needed to reset my diet or need some bonafide healthy food to get me back into immune shape. It has never failed. I'm thankful for the other customers who stepped up to assist today (I have been wracking my brain trying to place how I could have helped the situation, but it was obviously hostile since other customers stepped in to intervene). I was deeply upset and surprised by what occurred, as I've never once had an altercation with another customer like that at this place. What has been an abode of kindness, calm, and acceptance unfortunately turned into unmanaged and misdirected hostility.
If this behavior is permitted at the store, and if customers creating this kind of situation are okayed, I regrettably won't be back.
