The 8th Street Market — Local services in Comfort

From the signs drawing you in with shaved ice, you would consider the store would be kid friendly. No I don't mean your children should run free in any store, but their mere existence, should not provoke ugly looks and snide comments from employees. I would avoid this place is you have children with you, and sadly especially if those children are minorities. Let me elaborate....

We went in this store recently, looking to do some shopping to update our ranch. After some browsing, we figured we would take our kids to have a treat of shaved ice before we hit the scorching sun waiting for us in the outdoor area of the shop. After our shaved ice snack, my wife was taking the kids to wash their hands before proceeding out back. I'm watching, chatting with a friend when I notice the clerk behind the counter start mouthing words to the other clerk, pointing and then glaring at my two year old son. I'm not one to confront someone if it was warranted, but my son wasn't harming anything and he was under supervision the whole time. She followed him with her eyes, and kept mouthing words I shouldn't utter here. She made it a point to turn around and keep watching him and my wife. I then figured the choice words she said about my kids meant we were not welcome or wanted there. I briskly walked to my wife, informed her and we turned around and proceeded to leave.

My wife is a much nicer person that I am and she gently let the employees (or owners, we are not sure which) know why we were leaving. The glasses clad and really rude clerk said "okay" and the other acted confused, trying to cover up getting seen being total meanies. We walked out and took our business elsewhere, but were left with a bad enough taste in our mouths that we thought a review was warranted. What bothers me the most is the squadron of non-minority children in the shop were never followed and no ugly looks made. They were apparently welcomed in more than my children. This is a shame this day and age, if my children were judged on the race, but who is really to say, I am just making an assumption.

In the end, the shaved ice was a welcome treat, the space is fairly hot with a lack of air conditioning (lots of random blowers in the isles to circulate the swampy air), the prices are high for the quality of product they stock and the employees carry more of a uppity and conceited attitude. If you're looking for a home décor/faux antique shop,...

Stopped in for lunch and so glad we did - it was so good! We have shopped here in the past with our Interior Designer and always find wonderful things here- beautiful store. Every time we visit we see new things. There is a painting that had/has my eye.... Might be back sooner rather than later for that. We were in town yesterday and stopped in for lunch- ordered the Gringo Sandwich and the Egg Salad Sandwich. They were delicious! I loved the combo on the Gringo- not your standard turkey sandwich. And it came with a jalapeño jelly on the side which was spicy but not too hot. Perfect compliment. While we were there someone stopped in for a lavender matcha - getting that next time! Very curious on that and she said it...

Lots of unique and interesting things to look at and choose from. We spoke to Betsy and she was very nice and great to talk to. Great building and it seemed that the people that were eating there really enjoyed their food and drinks. We didn't try the food though. Maybe next time. The outside portion has a ton of potential and it seems to be a work in progress. I did enjoy browsing in the back though. Some prices seemed a bit steep but not outrageous. If your into larger unique pieces this place is probably your type of place. I mostly like smalls and collectibles. They had some but I didn't find anything this time. I will be back and update if I feel...