Worst shopping experience of my life !! Used this store a lot when Robeson's was open, but what I witnessed over the course of four weeks made me sick. I WILL NEVER GO BACK, OR RECOMMEND THIS STORE ANYONE !!!
One of my good friends, Sarah, lives in the Cherry Hills "subdivision" of Champaign. She is a lawyer with a firm in Chicago and runs their Champaign office. Her husband is a Dentist with a successful practice in Urbana. Sarah noted that every time she entered the store via the back door (after shopping at Robeson's ), the owner of Spritz would yell out "Has anyone heard from Mr. Spritz today ?" All the employees turned their attention to Mr. Greenfield(the owner), only to see him pointing to the door Sarah had entered from. She found it odd, but dismissed it as coincidence and went to view the Lladro figurines. Her mother's birthday was a week away and she had quite the collection of the Spanish glazed figures. Sarah was familiar with the available pieces and the ones her mother already had. Being an "independent" shopper, she appreciated not being approached right away. Sarah had been in Spritz a few times over the past couple weeks, trying to decide which piece she would purchase for her mother. A pleasant woman who could usually be found in the little "island" area next to the glass cases that held the figurines. She was always there to help if it was needed, but did not hover over Sarah. Still not sure which one to buy, Donna(the woman that worked in the island)let Sarah know that there would be four new pieces arriving in a few days if she was still unsure. Donna told her if she wanted to leave her phone number, she would call when they arrived. Three days later Sarah received a call from Donna. The new Lladro pieces had arrived and would be put in the display case within the hour. Sarah went right over, again using the back entrance. For the 14th time in a month, the owner, Mr. Greenfield yelled loudly "has anyone heard from Mr. Spritz today?"
Sarah had stopped to look at the Swarovski display before going to see the new Lladro pieces. A heavy set woman with red hair,who was working a on a watch band commented to the assistant manager,"For heaven's sake, does he have to yell the comment about Mr. Spritz calling every time a black person walks through the door?" Enraged, Sarah thanked Donna for all her help, then she walked out without buying a thing !!
Last point for this review. The woman that worked in what they called "the boutique", was named Donna. She was crippled with advanced arthritis and was legally blind. She had told me months ago that she had applied for a leader dog from a school in Rochester, Michigan and had been accepted. She would be gone for three weeks and said if I needed any help while she was gone, I should ask for Diane. I was so happy for her. I was very happy for her and told her to call me when she got home, settled and back to work, so I could come and meet her new eyes !!
Almost three weeks to the day, Donna called to let me know that she was going to be back at work on Monday and that more Swarovski pieces were due in that day as well (I am a collector). I promised to come in that day to meet her new eyes....and see the new crystal creatures !!! Monday rolled around and as promised and I kept my "appointment" to come meet her new eyes. When I arrived, the store was empty. Mr. Greenfield was nowhere to be found (which is always nice). I headed towards the boutique, excited to what breed of dog had become Donna's eyes. But there was no dog with Donna, and one could tell she had been crying. Long story short, Mr.Greenfield had made poor Donna tie her new eyes in the back room as "we do not allow pets in Spritz". Donna had explained that by law, K.P. (the name of her new eyes)was allowed to be by her side no matter where she was. "I will not allow my store to smell like a dog." he said in front of me when he returned !! I will NEVER do business with Spritz again. I let everyone that asks, know why not!!! Mr. Greenfield is racist and complicates the lives of his employees and illegally keeps a guide dog in the back room and away from his blind employee !!! He is in a term, a real douchebag !!! read more