Went to the mall for an activity today with my two & a half year old daughter and wife. My daughter was running past every story except two.
At Forever 21 she stopped and walked just inside the threshold and started dancing. Adorable.
The second time she stopped was at Build a Bear where she wondered in excitedly. I sort of stopped her because of Covid and they had some stickers on the floor and the entrance rope up. I looked up at the store attendant and she rudely and coldly said; "what are your intentions?" I was puzzled and turned off, but I responded; "I'm not sure, browsing? My daughter turned to come in this store." Her response was to turn us away. I responded. "Very inviting. Thanks." I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I'm wearing a brand new Mountain Hard Wear jacket, my clothes are clean, I'm wearing nice shoes, and my hair is combed. Very confusing. I wanted to say; "I just got my weekly paycheck and my daughter came excitedly rushing into your store and I want to make her happy. But because of your less than phenomenal customer service I will be walking away now."
I know it's Covid time. People are on edge and peculiar. My daughter is 2 & a 1/2 so she does not wear a mask well. But I noticed most of the children in that store were not wearing masks.
How a stuffed animal shop lost a customer for the day and possibly for life. Regardless of location, I doubt the Build a Bear shop will ever be a destination for my family. I hope that the franchise owner reads this and fixes their staffing issue. And, I hope the nasty middle aged woman who was so rude to my daughter and I knows that she is in the wrong business. Customer service is not her calling. I normally work in restaurants so I know all about customer service. And, at Build a Bear at the Mishawaka Mall is one of the least inviting places I have ever been to. It felt like I was a hobo who wondered into the Burberry store on Michigan Ave in Chicago. Except clearly I wasn't. I was a well dressed father with his adorable daughter walking into a stuffed animal shop.
My advice is to skip this experience. read more