I am still in shock about the blatant disrespect and unprovoked hostility directed at me by the shopkeeper of ""I Love Theatre"" in Historic Ellicott City, MD. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 at around 4:10 p.m., I entered this store with my sister-in-law and my baby boy in a stroller. My son was well dressed for the weather in a thick sleeping-bag-style bunting with a hood and mittens attached, fleece footed pajamas underneath, an extra hat, and a blanket to cover the entire ensemble. As soon as I walked into the store, I noticed the man behind the counter staring at me with an unwelcoming look in his eyes. He appeared to be in his 60s, with wire-rimmed glasses and a slight build. A few seconds later, he loudly declared in front of the other customers, ""What the hell are you doing walking the streets with that baby in this weather?"" Surprised, I replied, ""He's wearing a jacket."" He then practically spit out the words, ""It's STUPID."" My sister-in-law and I felt uncomfortable about his hostile and confrontational demeanor and left the store immediately. After finding my husband and informing him about this exchange, he went back to the store to confront the shopkeeper. Apparently the shopkeeper began sputtering incoherent sentences and denied any wrongdoing.
If this man took issue with my parenting style, he could have discreetly and respectfully informed me of his beliefs rather than berating me in front of other customers. Why he would feel that it is acceptable to treat another person in such a judgmental and condescending manner is beyond me. My sister-in-law had been visiting from out of state and was initially fully intending on spending money to support this local small business, but after our exchange with this employee, we will never come back here again and are informing people about the unbelievably disrespectful way in which they treat their customers, the very people whose support they count on to keep their business afloat. I will say it again: Absolutely DEPLORABLE customer service, the worst I've ever experienced by far. I would recommend taking your business elsewhere.
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