Paradis Shop n Save — Local services in Brewer

If you're a colored person or have any type of diversity I suggest avoiding this grocery store.

I live right down the road and have gone to this store on an as needed basis for 5 years. I want it to be known that this store has a backpack policy, one that I am well aware of and I abide to; out of respect and decency. As a civilized person should. I do leave my backpack with the front service when asked and even put it up front without being asked. I usually stop at this store on my way home from work. I carry a laptop case full with a laptop(most of the time), food, chargers, various types of paperwork, pens, harddrive, chargers, etc. Sometimes I have my backpack(a conversion bag, I can change it from a laptop case to a backback with straps) full of the same things. Still even when I put my bag upfront, many of the store clerks give me dirty looks(of what appears to be contempt) and follow me around the store.

I have refused to write this review for a long time thinking I have better things to do. Also as a colored person that experiences subtle racism and discrimination by random people everywhere(which is a sad reality for any miniority) and have been called a "dirty rotten commy n*er" have been chased off the road by a man screaming "and don't you ever bring your black ass round here" and have been singled out numerous times for various things for 24 years, it didn't seem to make sense to give a bad review of an entire store based off a few of the stores clerks. But its gotten to the point where I am sick of being treated the way I have been. I have been there without a backpack many times and I still get followed around and given dirty looks. This isn't an opinion or over reaction, I have been going here for 5 years and have had some of the store clerks there express their apologies for the behaviors and actions of their co-workers.

Look, this isn't a bad store and there are friendly, personable store clerks. But there are also store clerks there who exhibit behaviors directly correlative to discrimination and bigotry. The past five years going there as needed, needed being anywhere from once a week to three times a week has given me plenty of time to figure out who is which of those. Please understand I wear dress coats, blue jeans that fit with a belt, button-ups, and usually a sweatshirt. I work within the community for non-profits and have for the past 4 years both in two different fields including being a mental health professional. I actively volunteer with organizations to help those in our community. I can go on but the point I am trying to make is I don't even fit the stereotype to discriminate against and even if I did, no one should have to experience this. I am colored though. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs but in a professional field, being treated poorly is distasteful. I am sick of being treated like a criminal or as if I am sub-human. So to those that are are different in any manner beware.

Here are two people to look out for a Caucasian male, early to late 40s or 50s, top-head bald with grey patches of hair on the side of his head, wide glasses with a black frames' approximately 5'9 and 160 lbs. This man follows me everytime I am in the store, once he stopped me at the entrance, raised his voice at me, have his face go beet red while he clenched his teeth and fists, not asking but demanding that I leave my bag with thr service clerk, as I do, everytime they have asked. This man will stand at the end of the aisle I am in, pretend to organize things while poking his head around and staring at me briefly. He does this during my entire visit, im almist every asile, everytime. Whatever his reasoning or culture be, it is unprofessional and even some of his co-workers acknowledge his behaviors as discrimination.

There is also a Caucasian female, early 20s, blonde hair, slim glasses with a black frame, approximately 170-220 lbs who will also stare at me in contempt. The type of contempt with hate and judgement.

If you want further information feel free...

I have to go here to pay my rent. I'm a pretty clean cut 51 yrs. old male. I generally have a great attitude and am happy 99% of the time. But the gray haired ladies working there should probably not be working there. I've been paying rent and shopping there for a year now. They carded me to pay my rent. With an attitude. She double looked at me and my ID to see if I was lying. Then I was kind of followed around the store while shopping. I bought a fifth of rum and some groceries. She carded me again taking a double check to see if I was lying. While leaving I said to have a nice day. Hope it gets better for you. She responded with a sarcastic Thank you. I don't get it. They acted like I got sprayed by a skunk almost. Did nothing to deserve that treatment. But I still have to go here to pay my rent. It...

Paradis is great! Locally owned. Real, staffed cash registers with baggers, which is SO NICE these days with the dreaded automated registers and no personal service. Paradis allows you to buzz in and out quickly. What I like most of all, is they have foods I haven't seen in years anywhere else: Blueberry Morning cereal. Certain Maine style foods like Brick Oven rolls, yellow eye beans, pickled bean salad, and more. Stores from out of state just don't order what we want to eat. One more thing, I don't need a selection of 100 different shampoos or 40 different salad dressings if I don't like any of them. Paradis...