Mountain Magic — Local services in Cloudcroft

We visited a few shops in Cloudcroft today. The last shop we visited was at the end of the little loop. Timmy had the boys across the street at the rock and gem store, and I had Raegan with me. Raegan was irritable, keep in mind she has autism, so she struggles with social cues. She is also considered nonverbal, so expresses herself differently many times. Raegan begins to cry and “scream,” not really screaming, more like waling. The cashier goes on to say that’s not allowed in her store, because then other kids want to act that way. Well obviously I ignored her and went to the kid section of the store. Raegan picked out a tea set she wanted. It was metal and in a basket that folded up with a handle. We walked on down and I picked her out some PJs. She started crying again, so I text Timmy and asked him to come get her so I could checkout, and give Raegan time to calm down. He came right over, and took her for a stroll in the wagon. So, I looked a little more and picked up a few more things. I get in line to checkout, and it’s a long line. A child walked by a clothing rack and accidentally knocked a T-shirt down. The cashier looks and rolls her eyes. So, I kindly walk over and pick it up, as we should be human kind to everyone. So finally, I’m second in line. The ladies in front of me say your business is really booming. She gets flustered and tells a group of kids by the purses that they to calm down, mind you not they were truly not doing anything. The cashier says yes it is, and it’s only me here. I get a bathroom break about every 3 hours. Then she goes on to say that kids come in and misbehave, like the girl screaming a minute ago. I cut her off and speak up and tell her that girl is my daughter, and she has autism, and you should not be speaking about other people’s kids to your customers. She said you should have told me earlier… I told her no, you should be kind. I turn around and shed a tear, as she is blatantly being ugly to my child and speaking ugly about her to others. The lady behind me hugs me and tells me it’s okay, and not to worry. I am unable to compose myself how I would like to, and finish the “conversation” how I would like to, so I sit everything I had picked out to purchase on a table and walk out. When I get out to the driveway, I realize I set my keys down with those items. I went back to get them, the same lady says here I’ll hold your things. I said no ma’am, I’m just looking for my keys. She helps me find the keys and I leave again.

So I go find my crew and tell them I just want to go, that I’m not spending money in a place that is so rude and ugly. So this so very kind lady that was behind me, drove around until she found us. She said you don’t ever feel like you have to leave, or like your daughter is not special. She said I bought your items that I could, and the boys some candy. My heart sank with gratitude from a complete stranger who showed me kindness in a very dark moment of my life. She bought Raegan’s PJs and the boys some candy. She and her husband and their kids drove around until they found us. Her son, 9 years old, volunteered to put his toys back so she could buy those things. What an amazing job she is doing with her kids and with humanity. She told the cashier that you saw only a glimpse of her life, and it was just a minute of yours. You were ugly and didn’t bother to realize how it may effect others.

April Herrera from El Paso, you’re kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. I will continue to pay it forward, and be a light for others. I’m a firm believer that when you do good for others, God blesses you in so many ways, maybe not immediately, but definitely in an evident way in your life, like this lady’s...

I purchased a couple of cute shirts here for around $50. I walked outside and my husband immediately pointed out that the one I got for my daughter has a stain. I went back inside and was told they don't take returns. They had a limited selection of little girl shirts. Further, they did not have any other extra smalls in that design, and I did not care for the other children's designs. We kept the stained shirt. Every time I see my daughter wearing it around the house, I am reminded not to go back next summer! Considering they sold me a stained product, flexibility on the store's part would have been...

Shopped here 9-1-23 and got a souvenir shirt. Store was very clean and had lots to look at. Good clearance racks which is where I found my shirt. Owner was friendly and helpful. Free parking right outside the door. Located on the north side of the eastern end of the main shopping street. ...