Review for Johnny's Shell - Michigan St. & Fuller Ave., Grand Rapids, MI…read more
I rarely write negative reviews, but my experience at this location deserves to be shared. My wife and I are currently homeless, and on the day in question, the heat index was near 90 degrees. I went into Johnny's Shell initially just to use the restroom. After that, I returned to my van to get two bowls so I could fill them with hot water for instant noodles.
On my second trip inside, I politely spoke with two very kind employees who treated me with respect. After filling the bowls with hot water, I realized I needed to make two trips to carry everything back out. On my third trip, I went in to fill my two Yeti cups with ice water. At that point, an employee named Ms. Sheila told me, "I can't keep you coming in and out of the store to get water." I replied, "Ma'am, it's 90 degrees outside, but I won't come back for water," and started to leave.
I did, however, return briefly to wash my forks in the restroom and informed Ms. Sheila of my intent. Moments later, another employee, a white woman named Sabre, aggressively pounded on the bathroom door and yelled, "You need to leave." The pounding startled me so badly that my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. When I stepped out, she loudly repeated, "You need to leave -- my cashier said..." I asked why, since I had been respectful, gentle, and kind the entire time, as I almost always am.
As I moved toward the door, Sabre made a gesture as if she were about to call the police. I told her I had done nothing disrespectful and could not understand why I was being treated this way.
No one should be made to feel unsafe, targeted, or humiliated for simply trying to meet basic needs, especially when they've been polite and transparent about their actions. While I want to commend the two employees who treated me with kindness, my overall experience left me feeling disrespected, singled out, and unwelcome. Businesses have every right to set policies, but there is never an excuse for aggression or intimidation toward customers -- especially those already in a vulnerable situation.
