EngelbergAntiks — Attraction in Salem

Unfortunately, I'm caught in the middle of this and am not sure how to address it other than to just leave constructive feedback.

I spoke to John (owner) over the phone regarding an incident involving a client and staff within a program I manage for individuals with disabilities.

We had a client accompanied by staff walking around downtown as part of his scheduled activity. They happened to walk by EngelbergAntiks and browse some of the items on display. While browsing the pins and patches, camera footage apparently showed our client putting his hands in his sweatshirt pocket. This was enough to make John concerned about potential theft.

To be clear, nothing was stolen. After speaking with our staff and the client, it appears they weren't aware their actions looked suspicious. It's reasonable to suspect that someone with disabilities might not be aware of how their body language is perceived in a store. Additionally, it was cold, considering it was the middle of January.

The staff and client left EngelbergAntiks and approximately 25 minutes later walked by again when they were confronted by John at the corner of the street, as reported by staff. Initially, they were both confused and curious why a man was asking to check their pockets. While John admits he was polite and calm during the engagement, avoiding accusatory language and ultimately determining nothing was stolen, it still left a bad impression on the staff and client.

I later called to understand better what had happened, and John shared his version of the story. John admitted he spoke to them on the street some time after they left the store. He explained how their actions looked suspicious and felt the need to address potential theft to protect his store and merchandise. John explained that he often lacks resources to combat crime and that the police are reluctant to get involved and resolve his issues.

I sympathize with John and understand the challenges of successfully running a store and tackling the frustrations of theft. However, I also shared that his confrontation negatively impacted an individual who already struggles with being accepted in the community due to his disabilities. John said he was unaware the client had a disability and I don't believe his interaction was targeted or harassment. John explained that he treats all theft the same, whether it's 25¢ or $2500. While I respect that he treats theft indiscriminately, I also pointed out that his policy might need to be reviewed, as it led to a false suspicion in this case.

I'm concerned John's policies may be discriminatory, as his primary method of identifying theft seems to be unclear camera footage and conversations to determine fault. John admitted that he often "blasts people on social media" when he believes they steal. When asked how he ensures accuracy, he didn't provide much clarity other than stating he only does it when he's certain.

John asked for my suggestions. I proposed that he could put small items like pins and patches in a locked case or out of reach to mitigate theft. Or having employees handle merchandise. Simply being more present in the store and conversing with people, or using additional security devices are great deterrents.

Ultimately, I respect and understand John's right to protect his business. I simply implore a policy review—not because of this review, but to create a win-win situation where you reduce theft and improve the community experience while also reducing incidents where people feel unwelcome and targeted, even if the interactions are intended to be polite.

Edit 1/18/25: John relies on low def cameras and an investigative hunch as loss prevention. I'm disappointed that he wouldn't take this opportunity to self-reflect and instead expect people to not look suspicious and modify their behavior by not putting their hands in their pockets in his store? Nothing was stolen, an individual felt sad after a first time visit, yet I/DD has to correct their behavior? Clearly there's a telling lack of self-awareness and loss prevention...

If you want a couple of old Karens harassing you while you try to shop, this is your store. I see the other reviews and I’m certain they are true, because they match my recent experience to a tee. There was nobody in the store when I entered with my two daughters and my 3 granddaughters. We were treated very rudely. They and harassed my granddaughters initially when the girls giggled when their mother jumped out and startled them in play. Englebergs will respond by saying the girls were not behaving, but they’re lying in an attempt to justify their own bad behaviors. They set out to make us leave because we had kids with us, and they succeeded. They accused the girls of ‘bad behavior’ when the girls were the ones who asked to go there, and we were planning to purchase Christmas presents for them. What a shame. My granddaughter were traumatized by this harassment. Imagine how it felt to them to be followed around and harassed for nothing.

I’m a physician in Salem, and I’ve been shopping at Englebergs for 2 decades. Believe me when I say that I won’t be shopping there any more. I don’t know what has changed, but they need to correct it. They are reading into normal behaviors and calling them deviant, and you can see that in the other reviews. Ducking behind a clothing rack is called shopping. Giggling is not a crime, and in my family, is actually encouraged. Kids should be allowed to shop without being singled out and harassed. If they continue this recent trend, they will alienate their shoppers and ruin a once respected Salem business. Come on guys, lighten up!

I noticed that when a bunch of bad reviews come in they say that someone “obviously told their friends to write them”. What a sad accusation that is. How about owning your own bad behaviors and obvious prejudices. I’m sure you must have had some terrible experiences with kids shopping there, but it is a mistake to judge everyone based upon that. We call that prejudice, and that thread runs through every bad review I read because it’s absolutely true.

Best of luck Englebergs. I do feel a loss, but I’m done with you. There’s no room in my life for that kind of negativity. I’ve never been treated that way before and it’s not acceptable to me or to...

My boyfriend, his cousin and I came to this place, i had a bag and at the front counter i offered for my bag to be infront, The lady at the front denied and we continued our way to shop. After awhile coming downstairs my boyfriend adored this jacket he found for 175 dollars, and because of this price we tossed around if we should buy it or not. we infact verbally discussed about how much we wanted purchase it, and how we were honestly planning to. later on we spotted a big enough mirror to capture the full look of the jacket to wear, so my boyfriend grabbed it and wore it and wanted to see how well it fits. Well then after this lady that was from the counter kept hawking at him and his cousin asked “Did you wanted to get by?” assuming she wanted to go where we were at but instead she loudly declared “thats my jacket!” we were all confused at this message and stared in silence. she continued “that jacket is 150, so i keep my eye onnit!”. my boyfriend said “im trying it on, im looking at it, its 175, so…” she replied with “well i thought i marked it 150, /so/..!” and we were confused so we just stared at her not understanding her point. “Thats my jacket” she started to leave after much more staring and my boyfriend starting to take it off. he was going to put it away and leave but she just went back and exclaimed “as a matter of fact, i’ll just take it from you.” after she started walking away my boyfriend called her a creep and we were walking away past her when she said “you guys can just leave”, which he replied “gladly” and then she yelled at her associate upstairs that we weren’t allowed to be back. thank god. this is a frankly overpriced and hostile store. I dont understand their thought process on their achievement to make us uncomfortable. I do not recommend coming in if you are anything beyond palm colored because they will dart eyes at you at any and...