Discriminatory Treatment at Your Store…read more
On October 8, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., my friends and I entered your store in Prescott, Arizona, intending to purchase drinks. The store was crowded, and as we made our way around the liquor aisle to reach the beverage section, an employee, whom we estimate to be in her mid-to-late 50s with black hair, yelled at us, stating, "Stop looking at the liquor and get your drinks and get out of the store!"
We were shocked, uncomfortable, and deeply offended by the way we were addressed. While other customers were browsing throughout the store without being rushed or questioned, we felt that we were being singled out and treated as though we had done something wrong simply by being there.
As my friend and I proceeded to check out, our third friend was getting a fountain drink. The employee then called out to another employee, stating, "The other one is at the fountain." This made us feel as though we were being watched and treated with suspicion despite having done nothing wrong.
What made this experience particularly concerning was that we were the only people of color in the store, and we observed other white teenagers purchasing drinks without being subjected to the same treatment. As three Native college students, we could not help but question whether our race, age, or appearance influenced how we were treated. The interaction left us feeling unwelcome, stereotyped, and unfairly judged.
We have never experienced this kind of treatment in Prescott before, and it is deeply disappointing to be treated this way in a community where everyone should feel welcome. We understand that employees have responsibilities to maintain a safe store environment, but those responsibilities should never justify singling out customers or making assumptions about them based on their appearance or racial identity.
We are asking that management take this incident seriously, review what occurred, and address how employees interact with customers from diverse backgrounds. We also hope you will examine whether additional training is needed to ensure that all customers, including Native and other customers of color, are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
We deserve the same courtesy and respect as any other customers. We hope to receive a response explaining how this matter will be addressed and what steps will be taken to help prevent similar experiences in the future.
