TL;DRA really great place to take your littles.Staff were a couple of [insert your favorite expletive] that ruined the evening.
This was our third time coming to Red Jasper. Probably our LAST.
We had loved our first two visits.
A beautiful and relaxed environment with the added bonus of a FUN gem mining experience, which we had done each time since our kiddos LOVE it.
Since we enjoyed our experiences at Red Jasper so much, we wanted to share this hidden gem with all of our local friends in an afternoon of celebration for my wife's birthday.
While Red Jasper does serve food, it is paltry sub-par gas station hotdogs, nachos, and soft pretzels.
Looking online, we verified that outside food was allowed. Thus, we ordered up some subs, packed some uncrustables, chips, and pasta salad, and invited our friends to join us.A significant note must be made here:we chose this location to invite our friends to because they all also have small children and they all wanted let their little ones to get to experience the gem mining too.There was never any thought or intention of showing up to take advantage of the area without making purchases from this small business. Mind you, we are VERY pro-small business.
Upon arrival, my wife began unloading the car in preparation to move everything to the "lounging area".I entered the establishment and immediately purchased a bucket of sand/gems for $25. A clear indication and show of good faith to the small business.
I then collected our sandwiches and cold-bag of other foods from the car and proceeded to the "lounging area".I was immediately accosted by the staff and told there was no outside food allowed, at which point they indicated to a sign which said so. The staff's tone to me was aggressive from the get go and warranted being matched.I countered that we verified online that outside food was allowed.I explained that we invited 6 other families to join us and spend their money here. That we drove an hour to enjoy the hidden gem they have.After a quietly heated back and forth in which the staff offered zero compassion, or understanding, I was finally told to just do what I wanted. Presumptive accusations that our children would be unattended and break everything were hurled without a care in the world.Our friends, some of whom were already there, and some of whom would show up show up shortly after, either witnessed this behavior or very quickly heard about it. Immediately, a sour atmosphere on what should have been a joyous occasion.Nevertheless, all of the families we invited all purchased a bucket of sand for gem mining. A number of buckets of adult beverages were also purchased.
But if you thought this was the end of it, you'd be mistaken.
The staff made no attempt to hide walking down to scope us out. No doubt looking for a reason to justify their actions.
Their lone trashcan was filled to the brim with other patrons trash/beer cans. I neatly collected all of the trash we had accumulated into an empty chip box, smash down their overfilling trash can, and placed our trash on the top, which left the measly trash can lid slightly open.The staff would then passively aggressively drop a large trash bag in the area which we had occupied. By this time, were were wrapping up, preparing to leave, and had no other trash to throw out.
The area was not over-crowded by our presence. Our children were well tended to. We likely left the area in better condition than when we arrived.Hundreds of dollars were spent by our party. 7 families, at least 7 buckets for gem mining, plus 2-3 buckets of beer.
7 families had the opportunity to walk away from our afternoon there with nothing but good memories.You would think that this would be an absolute dream for a small business who no doubt benefits from word of mouth.
Instead, you have 7 families that will likely never come back. 7 families that will tell all of their friends and family about the awful way the staff acted. 7 families that will leave reviews cautioning others from spending their hard earned money here. read more