Nordstrom — Local services in Austin

Nordstrom's inventory is great and they sell quality items. That said, they leave a lot of room for improvement in their policies and treatment of customers. I stopped through last week for a tuxedo fitting for my upcoming wedding. I am a concealed carry permit holder and bring a concealed firearm just about everywhere it is allowed. After doing so for many years, part of my routine before entering any building is to check for posted signage regarding the property's concealed carry policy. Per state law, any business forbidding the concealed or open carry of a firearm on their premises is required to post in 1-inch letters contrasting with the background either a 30.06 (barring concealed carry) or 30.07 (barring open carry) sign that is clearly visible at each entrance informing of their policy. When I entered Nordstrom directly from the parking lot, I checked for signage and saw only a 30.07 sign, which are much more common than 30.06, informing that open carry was not permitted. I proceeded into the store, enjoyed my appointment where I picked my wedding tuxedo, and then went through the store and into the mall for a short while. Upon returning to Nordstrom (it was the most direct route to where I was parked outside) I was confronted by store security no more than 5 steps after I entered the store. He loudly inquired if I was carrying a firearm and when I told him that I was, he grabbed my shoulder and told me I had to leave. On the way to the exit, I informed him that I had checked for signage and suggested that their posted signage was not up to code. He incorrectly stated that possessing a firearm in their store was a felony (it would only be a Class C Misdemeanor if they could prove that I intentionally disobeyed their signage and then refused to leave after bring informed). I understand different stores have different policies but the way this was handled was poor to say the least. I had already been in the store, established that I was a paying customer and clearly was not a threat to anyone, left, and then was simply walking through on my way to the parking lot when they caused this commotion. When we reached the entrance/exit, I pointed out to security that the 30.06 sign was all the way on the other side of an entrance with 4 separate doors and was clearly NOT visible from the door through which I had originally entered. Further, I checked other mall and store direct entrances and discovered that Nordstrom was the only entrance to the whole mall attempting to forbid concealed carriers from entering. I noticed a manager observing my interaction with security who seemed to tail us through the store on the way out. I assume this gentleman may have some political bias against what an armed citizen represents as he seemed very satisfied with himself and what he had initiated by having me thrown out of their store. I have been a customer at Nordstrom for many years but will not continue to support their business if they will not support a customer, who is minding their own business, in their constitutional right to self preservation. It is their responsibility to post the signage as dictated by code, which they did not even come close to accomplishing, yet they were happy to tell me why I was in the wrong even after pointing that out. Just a reminder- 3 weeks ago an armed citizen who was "unlawfully" carrying in a mall in Indiana stopped a mass shooter 17 seconds after the...

Yesterday my wife and I were doing some shopping and we were in there for the better part of an hour while wearing clear plastic face masks. After we bought some stuff at the baby section, spoke to half a dozen or so staff members between that area and the cosmetics/fragrances I went to look for an open register to purchase another item.

Well, an older lady who worked there decided to intercept me in my pursuit and tell me that my mask did not meet their “company policy” and asked me in a not so polite way to leave. Confused I asked why and what their policy is... she said that my mask did not create a seal at which point I pointed out that her mask didn’t either, to which she then became more confrontational. I promptly tossed my merchandise on an empty counter and went to find my wife and daughter.

After telling my wife that I’d just been told to leave because our masks (we use the same kind) weren’t up to snuff, she decided she’d like to return the merchandise we had already purchased as a way to let them know we thought they were being unreasonable. To which a manager was called, security was called and several staff started to hover around us. They continued to escalate the situation, insist that their mask policy is clearly posted (it just says to wear a face covering), to which we pushed back that we were wearing face coverings, told us we couldn’t walk around the store to keep us contained, etc. The staff was making insulting comments (towards my wife mostly) and the manager continued to be condescending and rude. After she processed our return she told us to “get out”.

Now we’re fairly reasonable people and had the initial employee who started this approached with “compliant” masks in hand, offered them as an alternative and wished us well in our shopping experience, none of this would have happened.

If your company’s mask policy is more stringent than the norm then it should be clearly posted and unambiguous. I would also recommend some training on how to approach these situations without getting defensive and escalating them. We won’t be returning to this or any other...

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally report a disturbing incident of racial discrimination that occurred at the Nordstrom store located in Barton Creek Mall (Austin, TX) on July 17, 2025. My sister and our daughters — all Black women — visited the store with the intention of shopping, but instead left deeply hurt and humiliated due to the behavior of your staff.

During their visit, they were subjected to judgmental stares and overheard being talked about by store employees in a derogatory and unwelcoming manner. It was clear they were being scrutinized and treated with suspicion solely based on the color of their skin. This kind of behavior is unacceptable, especially in a store that claims to value diversity, inclusion, and customer respect.

To be clear:

My sister is a dedicated school teacher.

My daughter is a sophomore in college.

My niece is a high school senior who has earned a full athletic scholarship to college for track.

These are intelligent, accomplished young women — and they deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness, just like every other customer who walks through your doors.

We demand that Nordstrom investigate this matter fully, hold the staff involved accountable, and issue a formal apology to my family. This kind of racial profiling and discriminatory behavior is not only unethical — it reflects poorly on your brand and the values you publicly claim to uphold.

Please confirm receipt of this complaint and inform us of the steps you will take to address this situation.

Sincerely, Treat people how you want...