Hills & Hamlets Bookshop — Local services in Chattahoochee Hills

I went to visit Serenbe farm for the first time today. I have had the worst experience with the lady in the book store on this so call serenity, peace be with us, fake calming farm. She is a pure racist at its finest. Her interaction with African Americans is below subpar. I noticed how she explained in great detail of the bookstore to her counterparts. She went out her way to make them feel welcomed while we kinda of stood around waiting to ask questions about certain books we were picking. When we decided to finally purchase a book. I handed her money in her hand. When it was time to give me change she put it on the counter although she saw my hand out to receive it back the way I gave it to her. That pissed me off I kept a poker face smiled and walked out with the purchase. It just didn’t sit right with me and my spirit, so three mintues later I went back and returned the book. She asked what happened checked over the book as if something happened to the book and told me she usually doesn’t do returns and not sure if she knew how while doing the return all in the same breath. I had my hand out to get the refund and again she put the money on the counter again. This time I told to put the money in my hand and that was another reason why the book was being returned. She tells me the money is right here. I said again put it in my hand. She got so upset and tells me she has a line. Which is was one person behind me and finally puts it in my hand. I walked out and was done. The vibe I got from this place is unsettling, weird, and very spooky. It’s been that way for quite sometime I have learned since researching about this place since I visited on 4/2024. Has anyone else felt this way about this place? I know for sure African Americans have experience some...

The staff was kind to my son who was 5 years old and showed an interest in her personal favorite. She took time to read with him, which was lovely. However, my 2 year old daughter was aggressively scolded for dropping a book on accident. While it was aggressive on her end, I understood her being stern, but found out after that she was talking negatively about my daughter crying in the store (which was for less than 10 seconds). She said “oh you’ve got to be kidding” and then told the patron “book stores are supposed to be quiet.” Additional words were exchanged which she then added “I get it. I’m a mom and grandma” but her behavior and overall cold demeanor said otherwise. Furthermore, talking that way to other patrons seems inappropriate.

Meanwhile I had no idea she was talking about my child and I proceeded to spend $50 at your bookstore. After I walked out, I was told what she had said and felt so disheartened. I was tempted to walk back in and return all the books. Hoping her attitude toward young children isn’t the attitude of the owner, I opted not to. In the future, if you don’t want children to be in your store and excited about books and reading, maybe don’t have a children’s section. It honestly put such a bad taste in my mouth. I left feeling anxious, sad and as if my family didn’t belong - which is a shame given the sense of community Serenbe...

The woman working was very animated about how things looked expensive, but were actually on sale and quite inexpensive. She talked me into spending $70 on three books. I did not know they’d be that expensive until I was at the register. An hour or so later, I called to ask if they accepted returns and she said yes. When I tried to return them, she told me my reason for returning them was inadequate, and “the system” would only let me return one. I asked if I could do another transaction to refund another and she said “the system” won’t give me another refund. The refund was in cash when I originally paid with card. That would be fine, had I received more than a $7 refund. I should have received at least $20, as the two books I was forced to keep...