Concerning: HomeGoods; 3340 Shoppers Drive; McHenry, IL 60050
To Black shoppers, do not spend your money in this store!
On January 11, 2024, I visited the HomeGoods store in McHenry with a dear friend who is a small business owner. We had come to purchase additional items that she needed for her business, which she had previously purchased from our local store. Unfortunately, our local store had only two sets of the items she required, so we decided to drive out to this McHenry location to complete the purchase. While we were there, we decided to shop the clearance items as well.
However, our shopping experience took a disturbing turn when a man, who appeared to be part of loss prevention or security team, stood at the end of an aisle, seemingly engrossed in his phone but closely watching us. He continued to watch us as we shopped, and it became apparent that he was following us throughout the store. This was profiling and quite upsetting. At one point, I approached the gentleman, pretending to browse some items to gauge his reaction, and he promptly walked away.
As I continued to browse the things in that section, I turned a corner to discover the same man speaking with a different younger man who appeared to work at the store. The first man who had been following us left, and the younger man started folding towels in the shopping area near us, so it was obvious to us that this young employee was now to keep an eye on us.
When we arrived at the checkout line, two police officers entered the store and approached the checkout area, raising the profiling to new heights. Additionally, two managers emerged from the back. The police and managers talked as they watched us make our transaction. Had they made any physical approach, I would be suing them at this moment! My friend spent $237 at this store on a shopping trip that left us terribly disturbed.
Even though my friend needed these products for a business function, it pained my heart that she spent her hard-earned money with these racists and this awful shopping experience. Personally, as I told her, I would have left the goods behind. I urge any black people who are considering purchasing at HomeGoods to avoid these racists. In fact, avoid all HomeGoods stores; don't reward these businesses for their racism.
Deborah read more