Parkleigh — Attraction in City of Rochester

This store is a must visit every time I was home over the past 20+ years and have had a wonderful experience every time. I moved back to the area about a month ago and finally had time to stop by this weekend. Of the several items I purchased I found 2 of them to be unacceptable enough to return (which was a first!). 1 was a Mackenzie - Childs letter mug, which was wrapped, not had painted and stunk and the other was a Crystal sun catcher that said it contained an amethyst but there was not one to be found. When I went to return the items it was almost like I was bothering the manager that did the return. She explained normally I can't return a MC item when the MC store is closed (due to lack of staff). The way I see it, it's all under the umbrella of Parkleigh (as makes on the doors) and as a way to still maintain cohesiveness in the customer experience, should allow returns in either location of any product w/o a lecture of when I can and can not return an item. Anyway, the vibe was not good; totally diff from my visit in April, which was amazing. On the fence about returning and leaning heavily towards not.

UPDATE 11/29/2021: So my youngest child wanted to go to Parkleigh even though she knew I was upset with my last experience and low and behold Daniel came up to me while I was shopping and we had the most wonderful conversation about me moving back to town and assisted me with my selections. Daniel for the win! Parkleigh has a gem on their hands! Do not let him go!! Thank you, Daniel for turning my Parkleigh frown...

Upon entering and then shopping through the store I wasn't greeted like other customers. I did a walk through and was ignored by each sales area. I guess if you have a T-shirt and shorts and not dressed to the "9s", you are overlooked at a potential shopper. 😉 However, my money is as green as anyone else's and I did approach an employee (which there were many of them) and asked about items made in Rochester as noted on the internet. Each employee seemed frazzled with the question as I went from section to section looking myself. One staff member finally pointed out a corner where many items sat. That was good. As I picked up quite a few items, I was asked it I needed help or wanted to put them on the desk. At least 4x I was followed and asked this. Very uncomfortable being asked this over and over again. In the end, I did find items from Rochester I can use as a gift for a friend in NH. I have been to this shop many times in the 25 years I've lived in Rochester, and have never had a poor customer service experience. Knowing this, I still proceeded to spend $110 to support a locally owned business. DO BETTER in the future...

I usually love this place and visit often, but today I went with a few friends, picked up a bracelet (one that is in a different version of two that I already have on my wrist) and then decided not to get it. I put it away where I found it while the associate was away. I was then not only asked if I made sure to put it away while leaving, but was then followed outside and accused of stealing a $16 bracelet. I was then asked to “check my bag” and when nothing was found the associate simply walked back inside. Being the only woman of color in my group of friends as well as being the only one who was asked to show the inside of the bag was baffling to me. I loved shopping here, but I will no longer be...