I was Yelp Elite for nearly a decade, but have since gotten too busy and distracted to be writing reviews. Every once in awhile an experience so either inspires me or irritates me that I'm motivated to return.
I've lived in Boulder a long time, but recently moved to this side of town. I was looking to discover a new local wine shop to frequent, and although we got off to a rocky start, I was beginning to think this place could be my go-to.
I typically buy a case of wine at a time. I've been in maybe 4x for cases, and a handful of other times for the one-off bottle here or there.
I'm a health care worker and the last few months have been rough. I was driving by the other day in the brief period I have between work (stressful) and home (small child not in school), and realized I was overdue to refill my wine stock. I had a particularly challenging day and was near tears. Perusing wine is a happy distraction, and I thought I just had enough time -about 30 minutes, to pick out a case and a few bottles of liqueur. I had to cram a phone call into this time as well.
I hurry in and the place has one customer in it. It's mid-afternoon on a weekday. I notice the sign on the door that says they have a 3 customer limit. Seems low to me, but good deal, they're trying to be safe.
I spend about 20 minutes going back and forth between various wine sections trying to choose my case. I have 7 bottles in my cart, but I'm struggling with the last few because their selection is pretty picked over. They don't have most of the bottles I typically get, and their selection between $20 and $30 is much lower than usual. I suddenly look up to the usual young short-haired blonde woman with an angry, self-righteous expression on her face.
She tells me I'm taking too long, I need to end my phone call and check out right now. I tell her I'm trying to pick out a case. She says there's a line of people trying to come in and I need to get out to make room for them.
I'm mortified. In my sad-haze, I've been rude by spending too much time in the store! People are waiting for me! I quickly end my phone call, and rush up to the front where I discover the following.
There is no line.
There is one other person in the store who is checking out before me, so I wait in line for them to finish.
The employee is laughing and chatting with the woman about how much business they are doing during COVID, and how much money they are making.
There's about 10 different ways she could have alerted me to any worry she may have had that I was taking too long without lying and being rude.
I guess this shop is doing so well on the backs of everyone's stress, isolation, depression and anxiety during COVID that they feel they can afford to lose customers.
And since there's at least 3 other wine shops in Boulder with a great selection where the employees have always been kind and helpful, luckily I'll be in good hands. read more
