Bert's Red Apple Market — Attraction in Seattle

The few times (don't live in Mad Park) I've shopped here I can't really complain about the merchandise. Yesterday, however, I experienced dreadfully rude discrimination. I have two service dogs who go with me virtually everywhere. They are each just under 20 lbs. Yesterday my SDs had an expected health scare so rushed them in on an emergency squeeze us in basis at the Veterinerary clinic there (pricey but one of the best Vets I've experienced so I make the trek into Mad Pk).

After spending 4 hrs. at the clinic and not having clear diagnoses until blood panel results expected next day, I popped into Bert's to see what fresh produce we could pick up while in the area. Not five steps into the store (several clerks congregated at check out, virtually no customers in line,) an older white male clerk yells out to me that dogs are not allowed. Before I could even advise him that they are my Service Dogs, one of the other clerks corrected him by saying "they're service dogs" (my dogs wear clear SD identifiers). To which, the man quickly responds by emphatically yelling "No they're not!"

So, I informed him that they indeed are legitimate Medical SDs. He continued to yell, "No they're not. What do they do then, what are they for?" I shared that they alert me to a medical condition that can cause a challenging health issue. He demanded details so I informed him that it is against ADA law to ask of me.

He argued, "No it's not and I demand to know. That's the law and I know it!" Ordinarily, I get pretty feisty when standing up for myself and loved ones or on basic principles and ethics. That day, already stressed due to the health scare for my dogs and the fact that stress can cause or contribute to the condition I need to manage, I elected just to walk out. Otherwise I would have called out to him "Is it that my dogs are small or because I'm not white that disturbs you?!"

It has taken me a full 24 hrs. to get past the trauma of this event...my BP now registers my normal. In the nearly 20 years I've had a service dog, this is the first time in Seattle I've experienced this. (I've travelled abroad with my SDs and I can honestly say that even across other countries, my dogs have been rejected at just two other places.) I want to at least share this deplorable experience with others. I see that already at least one other person has identified racial discrimination from this store. I will never...

I live very close to Bert’s so it’s my go to grocery store for convenience. I went to get some groceries after I checked out with the cashier, I went back to grab some strawberries because I forgot them and got back in line. As soon as I got there, Robert the cashier looked at me and said “I think I have seen you before slip this in your purse” and I was immediately uncomfortable. I was thinking “Is this man accusing me of stealing?” I honestly thought I heard him wrong so I ignored it. When he gave me my receipt Robert looked me in the eyes and said “normally I would say the opposite but please have a good night.” Again I thought I heard him wrong because I was thinking there is no way this man said something so disgusting. I went out to the parking lot and realized what he said to me and immediately complained to the manager about Robert and he kept calling her in the back because he knew he messed up. She didn’t seem shocked by his behavior. Again his name is Robert and he is a bald headed guy that works there frequently. I feel extremely comfortable returning in there and if I do, I am going back on high alert of this guy and with caution and bringing my husband for support. They will literally hire anyone there even people with behavioral problems. They seriously need to retrain their employees including Robert and I will never return to that...

I feel good when I shop at Berts! They are really friendly and always helpful! Yes the prices are a bit much but they also have great product and fresh selection so yes you can go to another larger beast of a market to buy cheaper produce that will rot in a day or two or you can support the smaller guys who have to stand up to tough competition and get much better quality products! It’s really a personal decision and what’s important to you when giving your hard earned money to any organization. Roger (aka Bert!) was recently awarded Grocer of the Year - fun fact - and from what I’ve heard from employees, this is a great place to work with some tenured employees of 20+ years! I feel good about paying a little more to support locally especially when the employees are being treated well! Overall, good quality product, good customer service, fresh selection of hot food daily, not overcrowded and annoying to get through, what more could you ask for? Other than lower prices of course but we all want that with everything so sometimes you have to focus on other factors than price.

Two thumbs...