Terra Verde Boutique — Local services in Colorado Springs

I’m disappointed to be making this review but I feel it should be shared. I’ve patronized Terra Verde for 5-6 years now and have spent good money and always suggested it to others as my favorite go-to gift boutique. However, in the past my treatment has been slightly different than other patrons. Nothing crazy.…Just no warm welcome when I walk in the door, no one asking me if I need help as I look around, basically a cold shoulder. Not every time either, infrequently enough to not deter me entirely until now. Today was different though. I walked in on a beautiful Friday afternoon and the shop was not packed, but there were maybe 8-10 other shoppers. I perused for a few mins looking for a quick gift for a friend. Took mental note that 5 people were greeted in the 3 mins I was in the store, but not me. I made my way to the jewelry wall along the back right wall right next to the counter. I knelt down looking earrings and one of the staff, a small middle aged woman wearing a long skirt, whom I’ve seen many times, pushed past me, physically touching me pretty rudely….and still didn't say a thing, acknowledge me as a customer OR excuse the fact that she physically squeezed past me to get behind the counter. I was pretty taken aback and stood up and moved to continue looking around in the front of the store. The same woman comes out from behind the counter and catches up with me pretty swiftly and stays in stride with me for half the length of the store and STILL doesn’t say anything, but is literally acknowledging every other customer we pass. At this point it occurs to me she may think I’m stealing. Though I don’t really fit the bill if I’m being honest. White woman, 6 foot in heels, small purse, dressed in Friday casual, but still nicely for work.

And then it really all starts to make sense. Not only am I over 6ft in heels, but I’m plus sized ie. not a petite little flower. And while their clothes do not fit me and never have, it’s never stopped me from shopping there because their other items, while over priced, are beautiful. But I definitely don’t look like the rest of their clientele. Funnily enough though, my money spends the same. While this may not seem like a big deal, it was enough for me to finally decide myself and my money are clearly not welcome. Who knows the real reason, I could very well be off base, but I can tell you, completely ignoring someone, but showing warmth and great service to literally everyone else is not a good look and it’s the last time I’ll ever risk being made to feel unwelcome again. If this were the first, second or third time, I wouldn’t be leaving this review....

I have lived in Colorado Springs for 8 years now and used to like browsing this store, and would find gifts for friends and family here.

My mom, sister and aunt were in town visiting this past week and we decided to walk around downtown to do some shopping, and eventually stopped into Terra Verde. My aunt was interested in a few of the Johnny Was items but given the price point, had decided not to purchase anything at the time.

As we left the store we were browsing the sale rack of clothing in front of the store on the sidewalk when a sales associate came out and started making conversation. In particular, there was a Johnny Was dress on sale for 75% off...about $90 total but still, what a deal(!!!). My aunt was very interested in purchasing, however, the sales associate was standing there, right next to us, watching us as we looked over the rack, and was clearly hovering as we tried to shop, awkwardly changing topics and trying to carry a conversation (doing a poor job at hiding her true intentions for standing there). My aunt said "well, let me think about it as we walk around and we can come back."

Immediately after we walked away, the sales associate grabbed the rack of clothing and brought it inside. All four of us looked back and watched this woman take the clothing rack back into the store. Whenever the weather is nice, I always see a clothing rack outside this store and for some reason, this woman felt as if we were untrustworthy and pulled the rack from the sidewalk. If she was so worried about stealing, why put the rack out in front of the store in the first place? Or why not put an employee out there all the time?

They lost a sale that day and a regular customer for good. There are many, many other shops downtown owned locally that I will gladly support over this place - Eclectic Co., Local Honey, Ladyfingers...

If I could give 0 stars I would!! I wanted to give this store a few tries before I posted a long negative review, so here I go. I really wanted to love this store because they have the cutest things, especially baby stuff. The first time I went into the store I was never acknowledged, not even a hi, hello.... nothing. Figured they were just busy or something (even though the store was pretty empty). Second time I was in there I was finally acknowledged, but it was weird because I felt like I was followed around. I was asked if there was anything I needed help finding multiple times, when it was clear I had what I needed. I told the lady I only came in for a few baby gift items, but thank you. The third and last time I went into the store, I went again for a baby gift for my brother in laws first baby. I walked in first and my husband straggled along behind me. I passed an employee helping another customer and smiled at her as I walked in. If looks could kill I would be dead!! There were three employees at the check out counter when I stopped to wait for my husband (still straggling along). They all looked me up and down, said nothing and continued to talk amongst themselves!! I waited for my husband to see if they would acknowledge him. The same thing happened! At this point I'm feeling pretty disturbed because I'm half black, my husband is Hispanic, and I feel like this is a racial thing. They lost a customer who would have frequented the store often. They have great products but horrible, offensive, and just plain sad...