1 STAR -- Extremely Disappointing Experience…read more
Black people, why do y'all continue to support businesses where you feel unwelcome as a customer?
I was genuinely excited to try Juicery Harlem because they offer menu options that cater to vegans. I love supporting small businesses, and living in Harlem, I've had the opportunity to experience some truly amazing restaurants. Unfortunately, my experience here was extremely disappointing.
From the moment I attempted to place my order, the Hispanic gentleman taking my order came across as rude, irritated, dismissive, and disrespectful. His attitude was so noticeably unpleasant that I immediately felt uncomfortable. As a Black woman, I am unfortunately familiar with racism, prejudice, and the many subtle and not-so-subtle ways discrimination can present itself. While I cannot say what was motivating his behavior, I can absolutely speak to how I was treated and how it made me feel.
I decided not to make an issue of it and continued with my order. I ordered an avocado veggie wrap for $13.06 and, because the indoor tables were full, I sat outside in the designated seating area to wait for my food.
Approximately five minutes later, two white women came and sat at the table next to me.
I waited approximately 10 minutes for my food. Then I watched the same cashier who had taken my order walk outside and bring one lobster salad to one of the women. A couple of minutes later, he returned with the second lobster salad for the other woman.
At this point, I was confused. Where was my sandwich?
I went inside and asked about my order. The same cashier pointed toward a sandwich sitting on the counter and told me, essentially, that he was too busy to bring my sandwich to the table--despite the fact that I had watched him personally bring both white customers their meals at the table next to me.
That was the final straw.
It wasn't simply about a $13 sandwich. It was about basic customer service, respect, and being treated equally as a paying customer. If you have time to bring food to one customer's table, but suddenly you're "too busy" to bring another customer's food--especially when that customer has been sitting there waiting--it's reasonable for that customer to question why.
I politely requested a full refund of my $13.06 and left to find somewhere else to eat.
I don't support businesses where I feel disrespected, unwelcome, or treated differently because of the color of my skin. My money spends just like everyone else's, and I expect the same level of courtesy and customer service as every other paying customer.
To be clear, I cannot definitively say that racism was the reason for this interaction. But I can say that the treatment I received left me feeling singled out and disrespected, particularly after witnessing how the customers sitting beside me were treated.
In today's economy, businesses cannot afford to take their customers--or their customers' money--for granted.
I came in ready to support a Harlem business. I left disappointed and took my money somewhere else.
