I was in 12/19/2022 and this store was busy as usual. I am local so I avoid the weekend crazy here…read more I am a black business owner shouldn't matter..... a black woman asked for a jacket off of a mannequin, the manager I assume said are you local. The young girl said yes. Manager said since it is so busy I can take it off when we close and give you a call tomorrow. Girl said ok.
At this point I could hear an older black woman say watch this. Goes up to the same woman and say my daughter asked for the jacket and you're telling me a black woman no, the look on the managers face spoke volumes. The woman said yes I am going there, I will use that card. The manager tried to explain they had call offs and were busy and taking these things apart while so many are shopping that area are not ideal. This woman said I am the customer. The manager said ok, and I am human.
This woman called this lady a dog. Tapped her pocket and said I have you on tape. The manager stood her ground and said good for you. I will not allow anyone to speak to me this way, do what you need to.
This fellow black woman took her phone out and was recording yelling this is Karen. This is Karen. I said to her you are the Karen. You see 3 people working, all on the cash register. I also told her I was ashamed to be considered one in the same. Racism is alive and well because of this woman whom I can't refer to as a lady due to her actions. The manager said leave than said actually don't, I will gladly take your money, I about died. GOOD JOB!
Everyone in the business world has felt some kind of pain from covid. Noone can get help. Companies really need to evaluate the help they have and the customer is always right is a thing of the past. The way this manager was treated was a shame and I hope the higher ups in Philly Premium look at the trash of humans that come to this area from Pottstown, Philly, Coatesville, jersey, new York, Lancaster and reading do not care about anything but getting their way. Not everyone. This sorry excuse of a mother wanted to make her world star video and failed. The manager actually closed her eyes like she was counting to 10 and smiled after she said she'd take her money and walked off the floor. LET ME TELL YOU child, this 6 foot 250lbs black woman came out of the back, I said oh hell someone call the police, this LADY walked over to her and said in a sweet southern voice how can i help you, the woman started going on about the manager not giving a sista her way, this lady held her finger up and said maam we are all children of god and we dont have time for that game in here, how can I help you, what can i do to make your experiance better. The woman tried again to go down the race road. The lady quoted a bible verse and said you came in here with hate in your heart and took it out on MY BOSS, that lady works her ass off from open to close and takes care of the all black staff so if you are going to focus on white because you didnt get your way, what are you teaching your child, as a black mother raising a son, we need to build these kids up, make them strong and respectful. Bad is in all colors. Hate is in all colors and forms and the way you came in showed your daughter to keep racism alive and as a community we should be working together to end it not use it to get our way. This customer said with tears in her eyes you are so right. I stood off to the side and damn near cried. This sister has her boss forreal. This sister is working for a company and I bet they don't even know what kind of team this place has. The two of them stood in the fitting rooms and prayed together holding hands. Asking our lord and savior to heal her hatred in her heart. I did cry. This was real. This is what Christmas is about. Not the jacket her daughter didn't get. They hugged and spoke some more. The manager never came back out, she was fiesty after that and her girl got this woman from 100 to negative 10.
They took he jacket off the mannequin and the daughter couldn't fit it anyway...sad... I waited for the woman to leave and said to the lady God bless you, made my purchase and left. A young man came out to the floor and said mama called someone and quit. He looked so sad. I am so angry and sad. If express lets that woman quit, yall a fool. She has been here a few months and this store that we call ghetto express actually looks like a store in a mall not outlet.
I apologize for the lengthy review, I want someone from corporate to spend a few weekends here to see what goes on, some of the customers are bottom of the barrel and these workers come in and still have pride in their work. It's always the same 5 people working so I'm guessing thats it for staff and keeping regular hours, express needs to thank God for their blessings. After last night, this is my store and team lead Ms. Flora they were calling her, will save that store with that woman.
I had to lay off my staff to save my business. After 35 years i can say i wish i had that.