Don't shop here. I want to start out by saying that I was actually really looking forward to coming…read moreto this store. I had walked by a few times and spotted through the window some watercolor workbooks and I really wanted to buy them, but each time it was closed. On my forth time trying I finally saw the store open and I excitedly went in to look at the watercolor books.
As soon as I walked in to inspect the books by the door, I felt bad vibes. I got the sense that everyone who worked there was staring at me like they expected me to run out with the books I was holding. A few moments later, I felt a presence behind me. It was one of the workers, a middle-aged woman that physically stood between me and the door and was hovering around without saying a word.
I ignored them as I continued flipping through the books trying to narrow down my choices. The entire time this person stood right behind me, and only after several minutes did they ask if I needed help in a sarcastic tone, which felt to me as if they did not expect me to be seriously considering purchasing their items. I said no thank you. They continued to stand there and pretend to straighten the front area for over 5 minutes while I considered my choices.
I finally picked out what I wanted and I got a good look at the rest of the store. I noticed a man with the glasses at the register eyeing me and a younger woman pretending to not be staring at me, in addition to the lady still standing by the door. Also in the store was a group of tourists speaking French, and another at the register, and yet none of the workers were even paying them any attention: their entire focus was on me. I have never felt so clearly unwelcome and eyed so suspiciously -- and I grew up as one of the few Latino people living in Carmel, a central coast town known for being filled with wealthy, elderly Caucasian residents.
Initially, I bought my book to prove a point that I still had every right to be there, though I left feeling shaken, shocked, and angry. I just couldn't believe how I had been treated after being so excited to come to this store.
A few days later after some reflection, I came back to the store to return my purchase because I decided I wasn't going to support a store that so obviously racially profiles people like me. I told the workers what happened and why I was returning my item (some were different employees, but a few I recognized from my initial visit). Instead of providing customer service, they proceeded to gaslight me about the experience I had, and with a straight face tried to tell me that they couldn't racially profile because they are also PoC (Asian).
Then, to my surprise, out of the back room came Sue Fisher King herself. She was generous enough to talk with me, and I do really appreciate that gesture. That being said, she tried to brush the whole thing off as a misunderstanding. I respectfully disagree.
Ms. King said that in her 40 years in the business she's never had a complaint like mine. I don't find this to be a compelling argument, as I almost didn't return to complain either. If you're a dark-skinned person like myself, racial microaggressions like these can be as exhausting as they are traumatizing. She and her workers told me all about how this is a high crime area and that it is protocol to stand by the door if there are a lot of customers in the store, and that they watch everyone. Including the French tourists (that they were not watching), and someone at the register, I was the fourth customer in the store, but the only one who seemed to warrant extreme monitoring. I understand the need to be vigilant against theft, as I've worked in retail. However, I do not agree with this tactic that a customer should be treated like a vandalism waiting to happen -- especially if this process becomes highly selective based on race or perceived looks.
So there you have it. If you want to feel like a criminal just by walking through the door, come on to Sue Fisher King. And if you're the wrong color you will be watched like a hawk. I know I will not be returning.