Marie C.
Yelp
Would give five stars on food selection alone. Unfortunately, I was harassed by someone who identified as a committee/board member. I reported it over six weeks ago to market management, and have had no reasonable response. Some portions edited for space, please contact me if you'd like to see the full exchange.
6/6/20, I wrote and reported to management: "...I went to the market and carried my small dog as I always have done. The vendors have told patrons carrying a small dog is fine despite the rule that dogs aren't allowed. ...two of three people standing at the entrance spoke up and said dogs weren't allowed, and we mentioned that we've always carried him. They said the No Dogs rule is being enforced now. We politely agreed and my boyfriend took the dog out and waited.
...sometimes people have legitimate reasons for things and aren't necessarily taking advantage. But I... am not seeking any sort of exception.
When I returned to enter, I turned to the men in the orange vests and politely asked, "Can you please help me understand why carrying the dog is no longer allowed?" And although I was clearly speaking to the men, the woman interrupted and yelled, (I'm not kidding, she yelled) -
"I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BECAUSE I AM ON THE COMMITTEE BOARD. IT IS AN ADA RULE THAT ONLY SERVICE DOGS ARE ALLOWED BECAUSE THE FDA DOES NOT ALLOW DOGS ***ANYWHERE*** (she yelled louder there) AROUND FOOD. AND THERE IS ***NO SUCH THING*** AS AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL..." I interrupted her there and reminded her, "I never said he was an emotional support animal! I just wanted to understand why it's different now."
One of the men in an orange vest intervened and calmly explained, "They're being stricter on everything now because we're under new management."
That was the answer to my question. So I thanked the man for answering me, and I certainly had no argument with the rules being enforced.
I also need to mention when she was yelling at me, she leaned toward me and was gesturing and shaking her hands at me. She was causing a scene and it was humiliating.
When I walked away, she yelled, "I AM SORRY I DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE ANSWER YOU WANTED."
I ignored her and shopped, but was horrified that someone would speak to someone else like that, especially in front of others.
I... am not entitled to avoid mask wearing, nor to bring my dog somewhere against the rules. I was only asking for understanding...
While I am not in need of one, and while my dog is not one, nor did I claim him to be, this woman must be encouraged to understand that Emotional Support Dogs are real and recommended to people with mental health issues, often our veterans.
I understand that the ADA does not obligate you to allow Emotional Support Animals, and that's not even my argument. But you really shouldn't insult veterans and others who do depend on their support animals by invalidating it. Just because Support and Service animals are different and are covered differently under the ADA, that doesn't mean "there's no such thing."
...I am too afraid to return to the market at the risk that this woman could humiliate me by yelling again...
...offer her the opportunity to read this message so that she will understand that in this time of great uncertainty and change, people will have questions. People are confused and afraid to be in public. Guarding a gate in an almost violent manner is not any way to welcome customers positively and help them feel safe. Unfortunately, it's your vendors who will suffer most if she continues to scare people away."
They responded: "Thank you for contacting us, and we apologize for this experience. We would appreciate your giving us an opportunity to look into this and see who the person was before you post publicly."
A week passed and I hoped to return. I asked for follow up. They responded: "We're very sorry for the experience you had, and we can understand how it made you feel. We've looked into your description, and we don't know who the woman was or what commission board she was referring to. She certainly was not an official representative of the Market or the City in general. If you encounter her again, please ask her name or ask one of the City employees (in the orange or yellow vests) to do so."
I asked: "May I ask why you cannot ask the two city employees in the orange vests who were working the entrance that morning, (June 6 - 9:45 - 11:00), about the incident and whether they can identify her? She was standing with them, talking to many patrons, talking to the two male employees in orange vests, and addressed me while standing next to them."
6/15, last response: "We're trying to determine, but there were seven staffers wearing vests that day and they all work different schedules. It will take us a few days to see if they know who it was."
I believe more than a month is sufficient to have talked to seven employees.