Lauren's Closet — Local services in Alameda

I wish I had the reviews before shopping in this store.

I initially stopped in the store after taking my child to Twirl next door. I noticed they had a great selection of new ballet attire and shoes. I ended up only buying water paints, but the customer service was terrible. The older woman was rude, curt and the whole time I was in the store, it sounded like they were bad mouthing or gossiping another person.

We went in today (months later) to get my daughter ballet attire and Lauren's Closet was the only local place I knew had a decent selection of BLOCH brand ballet shoes.

Upon entering I wasn't greeted or even smiled at. I went upstairs to the dance section and was up there with my toddler a good 20min trying on shoes with no acknowledgement from the staff. I came back down to ask for advice on ballet slipper sizing and was met with attitude from the older woman, like she was annoyed I needed assistance. She rudely deferred me to another woman who was working the other side of their store and had a daughter in ballet. She was helpful and offered to check the sizing of the shoes and suggested we try on the ballet leo I was holding for sizing (saying they run small).

After browsing awhile, I went back to the counter to ask for a fitting room and the older woman completely ignored me (impossible to not know I was there considering my chid was beginning to get restless and agitated) and proceed to help someone in front of me and send another woman to the other worker behind her. She finished with that person, turned around and went to the other side of the counter, never asking if I needed assistance.

I had the friendlier woman help me and as I was paying, another woman (Asian descent) entered the store and asked a question. The older woman was rude to her too, but had been friendly to the Caucasian patrons.

I am a POC and hate to say that discrimination was at play but at that point it was completely obvious that was what was going on.

On my way out, I pointed out to the older woman her that her rudeness and refusal to help me had not gone unnoticed and she tried to play dumb.

If it weren't that we need the shoes and leo this week and the time I invested in getting to the store, I would have set everything down and walked out.

It's a shame because I prefer to shop and support local when possible, but I won't ever be shopping there again and will be sharing my negative experience with...

I was really excited to learn about the store, I love Alameda and the Park Street location is convenient. I also love the idea of supporting small businesses, and who doesn’t want to turn clothes that your child has outgrown into (of course less clothes, thats consignment) clothes for their current size? I went here once to check it out, and once again to sell some clothes. It’s a smaller store, but has a small selection at all sizes, nothing super high-end, mostly Carter’s some H&M, North Face, Nike etc. I was able to find a few cute items the first time I shopped.

But the review is mostly based on my second experience, when I tried to sell clothes there. I called ahead to ask about when a good time would be and was told 10-4 during the week, so I planned my trip accordingly. I had brought two shopping totes full of clothes, all in good condition with brands including H&M, Levi’s, baby gap, Janie & Jack, Old Navy, etc. there were two people ahead of me selling, so they said it would be a little while, so I shopped around. Within a few minutes, they told me they’re all done and that they were not going to purchase anything because the styles were older than what they’re currently buying for. I was a little surprised that they were able to look at my items that quickly, but when I went to pick up my bags, it was clear that they did not look inside at all. My girlfriend was with me, and said she saw that they didn’t bother looking at all and just looked at the top item in each. She was going to buy her son a gift, but was so turned off by what she observed that she put it back. Honestly, I find it very disappointing, and a little disrespectful of my time. If nothing fits with their buying strategy that makes perfect sense, but at least have the courtesy to take a look at the items I packed...

Horrible experience! Liars and apparently racist. I should have known when the owner never looked her hard-stoned face up when we entered her establishment, named in honor of her daughter(mentioned to show there was in-depth conversation once shared).Took new and lightly worn clothing(some high-end designers)in on Saturday, 08/15/18, to sell and was told it would be about 15 mins. No problem, my daughter and I went to Starbucks to grab a drink. When we returned, 15 mins later, we were told they were not going to be buying any clothes. When I asked if the clothes had been looked through, I was told "Yes". Liars! Bags were still in same position and location as I left them and when I looked in bags, all clothing was still folded and in same order I placed them in bags. How disappointing for my 13 year old daughter to experience such disrespect and racism. The owner didn't hesitate to take our African-American earned money when I purchased a gown for my extremely talented daughter to perform and debut at Yoshis earlier this year....