Let me start by saying that I very much enjoy what HD has to offer. I much prefer their product over Dunkin'. So it saddens me that I will no longer be able to enjoy their coffee or breakfast sandwiches again. On June 26th I entered the Hudson St, Sudbury location.
Here is what I posted to HD. "The employees at Honey Dew/Stoney Brook Market 29 Hudson St, Sudbury aren't wearing masks. Even tho they have signs requiring the use of masks "for the safety of their employees and customer". I won't be getting coffee there for the time being."
I let a week go by, and decided to give them another go.
"The staff at Honey Dew/Stoney Brook Market 29 Hudson St, Sudbury again, are not protecting their customers. A sign is posted that clearly states, "you must wear a mask to enter'. Once inside it is clearly okay to take it off. The gentleman at the market cash register and the young man at the Honey Dew counter will have very healthy chins. And the poor young lady making breakfast sandwiches, no mask at all. This is the ONLY place I have been to in the past 3 plus months of this pandemic where I have seen such disregard for the public. Fix this Honey Dew Donuts. Until then Dunkin' will be getting my business. I am so disappointed." I hadn't been back since.
Fast forward to this past Saturday, I decided to stop for coffee at another HD location, this time in Hudson. "Yet another of your franchises not taking the pandemic seriously. Main St, Hudson, MA 01749. Employees with well-protected chins and necks. Not one customer wearing a mask. SERIOUSLY, are we in freakin' Florida?! I thought we were smarter in the North East. This is the second Honey Dew that I have encountered in the past 3 weeks that does not seem to care for the well being of its patrons."
After that last encounter HD wants my phone number to discuss the incidents "offline". They refuse to use email to address the situation. My guess, they don't want to put anything in writing.
Well, this morning, in a moment of weakness I stopped at the Sudbury location. It will be THE last time. I was happy to see that masks were being worn.
However, I was not happy to feel as though I was being attacked by the franchise owner. He confronted me stating that he KNEW I was the person attacking and constantly complaining about his stores(apparently he owns the one in Hudson too). Aggressively stating that I have no idea how hard it is, and I should give him a break. If I am not comfortable in his store, then my business was not welcome. He also attacked the fact that I had a beard and this made him uncomfortable. Well, you know, I work in food service too man. I do know how hard it is. I wear my freakin' mask all day too! It is hot, uncomfortable and a pain in the ass, but I do it. I am not expecting much. Just wear your mask and hold your employees up to the same standard.
In this crazy f'd up COVID-19 world, we need to be vigilant and keep each other safe. If we start relaxing our resolve to keep others safe, our guests/customers may follow our lead. It is important that those of us on the "front line" of customer service lead by example read more