The Royal Chocolate — Attraction in Virginia Beach

I would like to share the experience I had at this store from DECEMBER 2023 . A particular MANAGER was STRAIGHT UP RACIST towards my mother and me. In typical racist fashion, how this manager treated us was done in a dismissive and cowardly manner.

I doubt I'd return to The Royal Chocolate based on this RACIST and PREJUDICIAL experience. I will not be supporting a business that allows its managers to treat customers in such an indignant and disrespectful way.

12/2023 Last night while at the store, I experienced something quite shocking. My mother and I were at the truffle case trying to purchase a few boxes of chocolate. One of the managers was standing right at the case with two customers who were filling out forms, which I assume were for an order. So my mom and I walked around to give them space to complete their order; however, what happened next was shocking and left us feeling offended. ** So after walking around, looking at the other cases and returning, the manager and the two customers were at that point just having a conversation and eating free chocolate from the display case. The only reason they changed subjects was because the manager glanced over and noticed my mom and I waiting behind them. Not a single acknowledgment, not even a simple pleasantry to say, "Hello have you guys been helped?" or "apologies, we are just finishing up." NOTHING.

Then, the male customer steps back and narrowly steps on my mom and me. I say excuse me to him, twice but he ignores me along with the manager and his wife as if they didn't see what just happened- mind you they were still carrying on with their conversation at this point.

**What's both appalling and discouraging about this is that once they were done, THE MANAGER WALKED AWAY AND LEFT MY MOTHER AND I STANDING AT THE COUNTER. **NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT. **IT WAS AS IF WE WEREN'T EVEN THERE. **This manager then continued to GREET ALL THE OTHER WHITE CUSTOMERS who were in the store and asked them if they needed help.

I've experienced enough RACIAL PREJUDICE in my life to know when my family or I are being treated a particular way because of our race. It is disheartening that this prejudice has happened at an establishment that we've loved and supported for years. My family and friends have purchased chocolates from this place for almost every special occasion or birthdays we've celebrated. It's even more heartbreaking to be treated without dignity or respect, and then turn around and see that same manager warmly greet and acknowledge the other white customers in the store.

I honestly would have been happy to leave without purchasing anything, but my Mom already had her heart set on bringing home a box of chocolate to share with my dad. Luckily, the store associate that did help us was very sweet and made us feel welcomed- regardless of our race/ethnicity.

This was my experience, so if anyone else has ever felt like the customer service from the managers felt off or strange, there was probably an antiquated and biased reason for it. As a person of color, I've experienced racial prejudice my entire life and I know it when I see it. Whether it is overtly expressed to my face or whether it is done in a subtle & cowardly manner- I still know what it looks like.

Once again, I doubt I'd return to The Royal Chocolate based on this prejudicial experience. I will not be supporting a business that allows its managers to treat customers in such an indignant and...

We've been here before, awhile ago, but just learned the staff must work on a point system or commission? We stopped by Saturday early evening. We thought everyone was trying to be extra helpful but at checkout- the person who greeted us first and soooo nice went to ring us up and a female employee tells him to put her number in multiple times then comes over and puts it in. He just kept smiling and was letting it happen. I realized what was happening and said if this was for a commission that Chris, I believe his name was- did 95 % of the sale and work , offering help, making our drinks, boxing our candies he deserves lots of praise for his naturaland kind nature- the female got 1 piece of candy for my husband on the other side. We offered to ring items separately and she just seemed annoyed and said he could just put his number in. It was uncomfortable to shop in there like this- I realized afterwards why the employees are staring each other down like hawks- the most relaxed helpful employee was this young man who just smiled and welcomed my husband and I in. Wish I remembered the female's name- curly dark hair I think- there's a more professional way to acknowledge that you both helped- we had no idea and we would have gladly rang up separately.. but you made it uncomfortable. Whatever competition they have against employees is not team building and it felt like a car sales lot , not great experience just trying to...

CAUTION, DO NOT COME TO THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!! If I could give 0 stars I would. This company ruined the Valentine's Day surprise I had for my husband. I showed up for my 3 pm fondue appt to wait 30 mins to speak someone. The store was over ran with customers due to poor logistics and management (it was likely a fire code violation).Pre paid orders were lost, new orders were being taken, and they ran out of nearly everything. I checked in with the manager who stated the reservation I made could not be found but it would be honered. I indeed made a reservation but apparently a poorly trained employee took it and forgot to record it. 10 mins later I was greeted by a disgruntled Karen employee that told me and my husband that we were lucky that we were being served because we didn't have a reservation. My husband immediately said we are leaving due to the disrespect. I informed this Karen her conduct was unprofessional, I am a customer and to be treated as such and she will not address us in that disrespectful tone. I stated they are unorganized and need to tightened up. It was the businesses fault for this situation and I was not to blame. Unable to be accountable for her actions she rudely walked away. So we left. We will never give this place our business again and will tell everyone we know not to come to...