Totto’s Market — Local services in Chicago

The experience here is consistently one of the worst I have ever encountered in Chicago for a niche market, its atrocious, extremely small, congested due to narrow walkways. Not a plethora of options, and EXTREMELY overpriced.

Which is not the worst part....I'm not sure what the owners are telling the staff, but the experience you guys are creating for your customers is beyond unpleasant.

I understand you like other business are changing because of COVID, but there is a certain level of customer experience/service that shouldn't be sacrificed (or just don't let anyone walk in at all and simply become more of a digital business where people can order stuff at a small window and you can bring things to them without stepping foot in the store).

I came in with a bag that I had to leave at the door because of new policies (which I did not mind at all it makes sense). But I was surprised when the staff was actually LAUGHING/SNICKERING at me because I guess I didn't hear the instructions clearly and didn't place my bag in a random designated area that was unmarked, no signs, nothing - I instead placed it near the door. It continued as I was leaving, the guy at the door, reminded me as he was laughing to make sure and put my bag in the right place next time (a place that was not marked at all).

Additionally, a few weeks back I came in with gloves on but no face mask, I was maybe in for 3 minutes and as I looked up - the owner was STARING me down for at least a minute completely astonished that I'm in his store at all without a mask on - so much to the point that it made me feel uncomfortable. I walked up to the counter and he told me to BACKUP I placed my item from 5 feet away - paid almost $100 for my 3 or 4 items and left.

Do not shop here. They are not worth it. Save your money....

Came for the weekend from Philly to visit my friend and she brought me to this little shop. It looked so cute and quaint from the outside, and I was really excited to explore. I have a service dog who is trained to sit at my feet and apply pressure when I am having a panic attack. She has been to hundreds of restaurants, public spaces (museums, theaters, etc.), doctor’s offices, and has ridden on all forms of transportation (planes—how I got here—buses, Ubers, trains, etc.) without any issue. In addition to all of this, she comes to work with me everyday. I am an elementary special education teacher in North Philadelphia. Needless to say, she is incredibly well-trained. She has been supporting me for the past 5 years, and has been to Chicago a few times already and had no issue. The man at the entrance seemed to question me when I said that she was a service dog and trained to sit at my feet. There is nothing in the ADA that states that I need to explain anything more to a stranger about my disability. However, he made me feel incredibly uncomfortable to the point that I left. I really hope that you can educate your staff more about service animals and people with disabilities. She was clearly labeled with a red vest that says “Service Dog,” yet I was still given a tough time. Very sad and disappointed to know that yet another ableist institution exists. Not all disabilities...

I’ve always walked in reluctantly because of the attitude of the place and the prices, yet I always managed to spend at least $100 on each trip. I believe in helping local independent merchants whenever possible.

Today I walked in, prepared to do the same and help a local merchant who has likely had a tough year, and was scolded that I needed a mask to come into the market.

Forgive me for not reading every sign on your door.

I told the clerk I didn’t have one and he directed me to the pile of paper masks sitting openly on the counter, just inside the door and in the window, for everyone to touch and contaminate.

I put one on and made a comment about how the lack of quality of paper masks were generally ineffective as per the instructions on most of the packages of said masks. They often claim they don’t prohibit the transmission of Covid.

I told him I was being sarcastic, and I guess he didn’t like that. He told me he wanted me to leave, so I did.

I have no problem with masks, and I’ve even been vaccinated since April.

I have a problem with rude shopkeepers or clerks who seem to forget that it’s the customer who keeps them in business and pays their mortgages and rents.

Thanks Toto, I’ll be taking my future business elsewhere. Too...