Print J.
Google
I am extremely disappointed by multiple experiences at this location that left me feeling targeted, humiliated, and unsafe.
On a recent visit, a man later identified as loss prevention made me deeply uncomfortable. Before I knew who he was, he stared at me, followed me throughout the store, and repeatedly positioned himself near me in a way that felt intimidating. His appearance and lack of clear identification contributed to the confusion. At one point, I had to ask the cashier why a man was following me, and only then was I told he was security. The cashier told me if I didn’t like him following me I should bring it up with the manager.
I have never stolen anything in my life, let alone from a store I have been a loyal customer of since approximately 2001. Being watched and followed without cause was humiliating and upsetting. Discrimination does not become acceptable based on assumed socioeconomic status, clothing, or appearance. And to be clear: being white does not make someone immune from being discriminated against. Profiling is profiling.
Additionally, on a separate visit, I had an uncomfortable interaction at the bakery counter. While I was calmly speaking with a female cashier, I explained that I had a Starbucks venti cup and was happy to be charged the full coffee price rather than receiving the 50-cent cup deduction, since the cup was slightly larger. A young male employee interjected into a conversation that did not involve him, raised his voice, and said something along the lines of , “Oh, so you want a large coffee.” I ignored his interruption and continued speaking with the cashier. His visible irritation afterward was unprofessional and also intimidating.
Taken together, these experiences suggest a serious lack of staff training around customer interaction, de-escalation, and implicit bias. No customer should feel followed, judged, or spoken down to for simply shopping or asking a reasonable question at checkout.
I am documenting this experience publicly because it reflects a pattern that corporate leadership should be aware of. I hope this store takes corrective action to ensure customers are treated with dignity and respect — not suspicion and hostility. Being an “employee owner” doesn’t mean you treat your customers like crap. Also, the deli picks and chooses what sandwich toppings they charge you based on how they feel in the moment. Cheese is NOT a dollar extra charge.
