My husband and I had been walking off of Hwy 221 up the road from this store Rustic. Saddened to find an abandoned/sick baby duck on it own and in need of help. However, we couldn't get to this baby to help it without proper equipment and without possibly scaring it and causing more trauma. We attempted calling the wildlife emergency number posted in the park but neither of our phones had a cell signal. So my husband and I hurried to our car and drove down the road until we had a sufficient signal. We quickly pulled off Main Street in Blowing Rock and called Wildlife Rescue in hopes of finding help for this little duckling.
We pulled into a completely empty parking area in front of this store and dialed the number.
I barely had the car stopped when a blonde woman 40ish came out of the store and asked my husband what we were doing. My husband explained we were calling Wildlife Rescue and we just needed a minute. She clearly didn't care and responded with , "Leave right now, get out of my parking lot" Then was making gestures, waving her arms shooing us away.
This all happened on Tuesday June 30th at 12:58pm and we pulled away at 1:03 pm. We were not even in a parking space and very obviously on the phone having an intense, concerned conversation.
I have bought candles and other items from this store many times but I will never darken the doors of this business ever again. This owner or employee has shooed me and mine away forever!!!
If her business was crowded or if I was in someone's way, her behavior could make some sense to me.
But the parking lot was empty!!!!
I will never recommend or encourage anyone to shop in a business with a owner or employee that couldn't give 5 minutes to a couple attempting to help an injured animal. read more