WESTERN BEEF

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

 I live at 134th street and 3rd avenue, only a couple of blocks from your store location at 301 Morris Ave. This Western Beef is the primary grocery option in the area, and I have been impressed by the recent upgrades to the store. The new facility is sure to improve the shopping experience of the community.

 I write, however, regarding a matter of disrespect that took place the on the evening of 2/22/13, at approximately 6:45pm. I came into the store as I do many evenings after work in my work outfit; dark slacks, a cardigan (covered by a black peacoat) and a modest sized backpack. I am a teacher and use this bag to carry my student’s assignments as well as my personal computer and tablet. At the door, I was asked to give my bag over to two men standing at the entrance. One wore wrinkled blue jeans, and an old blue sweatshirt. The other was an older gentleman who was unshaven. He wore a black ski cap, and what looked like an old black jacket.

 I give these details to illustrate why I had reservations in handing my bag over to be “protected.” These men, complete strangers, did not bear store insignia and were not in uniform. Why in the world would I trust these individuals with my expensive personal equipment?

 Frankly, I find the policy of taking bags to be absurd. I imagine that the store institutes this policy in order to avoid larceny by your customers. I wonder, however, what stops any individual from dipping into the store and absconding with as many of the bags as they could? The bags aren’t locked away and are perfectly visible from the street. They are located near the door and are not vigilantly guarded; when I walked in, the men “protecting” them were deeply involved in conversation. Quite obviously, the store invests its own interests at the expense of its customers.

 Despite the problem I see with the store’s policy, I would take less umbrage with it if it didn’t feel as though it were one that was arbitrarily enforced. Indeed, I’ve walked into the store many times after work carrying my backpack, without being stopped at all. One of my roommates, who frequents the store with a bag regularly, has never been stopped.

 What made this particular trip to Western Beef disturbing was the outright disrespect that I endured from the “door attendants” (pseudo guards?) that I assume are in your store’s employ. When I asked how it was they determined which bags to check and which bags to let pass, I was asked if I “thought I was Obama,” a remark that I believe was meant to invalidate my earnest questions as posturing. When I asked if the President of the United States would be allowed to wear a backpack into the store, I was told to leave.

 At this juncture, I asked for the manager and was told that I was “speaking to him.” Given the man’s appearance and lack of identification, I have serious reservations that I was indeed speaking to the store’s on-site authority, and I took this as yet another sign that I was being completely written off.

 My roommates and I have spent thousands of dollars at Western Beef. We have been consistent paying customers. Why am I target of a policy that makes customers feel like prisoners? Moreover, why would anybody in his right mind submit his personal items to persons as those described above, when there is nothing about them that signifies their affiliation with the store? How could I take this policy seriously when only some people are checked while others just walk in? And most importantly, why are my concerns not taken seriously?

 Western Beef’s motto, “We know the neighborhood” is deeply ironic when I take into account both the policy of checking bags, and the egregious treatment I’ve received. I wish I could say that this is a one time offense, but I must be honest; I, and others of the community have been treated as though we are not valued as customers. I’ve been rudely addressed in check-out lines, and ignored when I’ve asked questions regarding the price of items within the store.

 I’m deeply upset and disappointed. I find it profoundly deflating that shopping at your store is such an ordeal because this IS my neighborhood. I suppose that I’ll be going to the Pathmark in East Harlem as I used to; I’ve never encountered such problems there. I thought, however, that it was in the interest of your store and the community you serve to let you know a serious concern.

 Sincerely,

Dark Apologist