As a visiting nurse spending a few weeks with my parents in town, I've been exploring local thrift…read moreshops with my 2-year-old to pass some time and maybe find some treasures. I was especially drawn to Outcast Ministry Thrift Store because of its mission to support people in need--something I deeply value as a healthcare professional who believes in community care and dignity for all. Unfortunately, I had a very upsetting and frankly shocking experience here. After shopping next door and making a purchase, I entered this store with my toddler and smiled warmly at the man sitting in the center of the space. My daughter was drawn to the large toy section in the back and began engaging with a few toys--gently and respectfully, as I was right there supervising her. She placed a toy vacuum down near me while she went to explore a few other items. Suddenly, the man jumped up and aggressively approached us, pointing at the toy and scolding me for what he claimed was "not okay." He questioned my parenting, despite the fact that I was clearly present, attentive, and actively tidying up behind my child. His tone was accusatory and demeaning. I immediately decided we would not be staying or spending money in an environment where families, and especially mothers with young children, are treated so harshly. As we exited, the man continued to berate me. I told him, in no uncertain terms, how inappropriate and unacceptable his behavior was. It's deeply ironic and disappointing that a store with a mission of compassion and restoration would tolerate--or worse, empower--someone to speak to a mother and child in this way. Children deserve respect. So do parents doing their best. A toy section in a store should come with an understanding that kids will want to interact. The issue here wasn't about a toy on the floor--it was about how a grown man chose to speak to a stranger with a child. To whomever oversees this establishment: Please reflect on the kind of environment you want to create. Ministry begins with kindness. Please also consider your own need for therapy and why you resorted to the deregulated tone that you did.

So I have been in this establishment a few times. I have bought a few things from here never had…read moreany problems until today. I took my three children and of course my two young children decided they wanted to look at the stuffies and the toys they pulled some things down that they were wanting to buy and had them sitting out and the man got up from behind the counter and came over there and started yelling at us saying that he was going to come to my house and destroy everything in my house like I was doing in his yelled at my children and took the toys away from them and out of their hands I asked if he was joking and he continued to yell at us we very respectfully put everything down and left. If you do not like children do not have a toy section in your thrift store. All you have to do is say we do not accept children's toys. I work very hard for my money and if I choose to spend money in a place I expect not to be yelled at and scolded for a child moving toys and putting them to the side as they were going to take them home. How dare anyone raise their voice at my children and take things out of their hands. We were beyond embarrassed and very upset. For someone so Christian to be so devilish is beyond me. I will never be going back and I hope anyone with children do not enter that store. My God was watching today and I know he is disappointed in the actions of the owner!