ReUzit on State: An MCC Thrift Store — Local services in Ephrata

I am very disappointed at what I witnessed regarding a customer that was not wearing a mask at the register. The employee rushed her out of the store and acted as though this woman could singlehandedly get the store shut down if she was inside a moment longer; this is decoratively stated but I assure you, not hyperbole. If I recall, the mandate states that masks are to be worn unless they are detrimental to your health. Realistically they are detrimental to everyone’s health (I think most people that wear one all day can attest to that.) Some people are much more physically sensitive to the lack of ventilation that results from mask wearing.

I have always looked forward to visiting this store but my feelings have changed, it was a harsh reality to see such a lack of grace from a ministry organization. I understand management doesn’t want to be shut down but let’s not forget the value of graciousness. I expected more from such a humanitarian minded organization. I imagine it is immensely stressful to be managing a store at this point in time. It’s disappointing to conclude that their fear of getting shut down preceded equality and respect of an individual’s needs. No one’s stress or fear should stand before tolerance of someone’s personal health needs. I wish more people could see the dangerous slope we’re walking toward in regards to social outliers.

I think management could stand to reevaluate their attitude regarding unmasked visitors and perhaps even their personal humility. Like I said I imagine it is a difficult balance but I think this store should lean a little to the other side. From the looks of other reviews, other shoppers have experienced similar issues. As someone that wears a mask for the sake of not making employees feel conflicted, I support that woman’s choice to enter the store despite the sign of exclusion...

I like the store, but there was one incident here recently that involved my father and that made me very UPSET. My father used to visit this store almost every week because he lives near by. Recently when he was there shopping, my mother called him and then obviously after he finished talking to her, he put the phone back into his pocket. One of the customers went to the manager and complained that she saw that my father was hiding something into his pocket! The manager then came up to my father and PUBLICLY asked him to show his pockets. She asked him to do this in front of the customer who complained and IN FRONT OF ALL OTHER CUSTOMERS who were there at the time! Obviously, all my father had in his pockets was his cell phone and his wallet. The manager then said: "I'm sorry" and left my father alone. What a humiliation! My dad is a 60-year old highly respected person who has a good-paying job. But at this store, he was put on the level of a thief so low to steal at a thrift store! And the most disappointing part is that the store manager decided to do this to him in front of every one, which was humiliating to say the least. His blood pressure immediately went up, and he became so embarrassed and ashamed. He left the store promptly red-faced. Shame on you Ephrata Re-Uzit, you did not need to do this to my beloved father. God knows, he did not deserve this treatment from you, he has always been an excellent, most...

So I like the store; I've been in there before and found the things I needed. But this time,, I couldn't believe how rude the one older lady employee was! Another shopper had her hands full of things,& apparently her mask fell below her nose. She also had a very rambunctious 4yo who was giving her trouble in the checkout line. The employee starts harping on her about "we require masks! pull it above your nose!" in a super SUPER condescending tone. Then she criticizes the lady for not making her 4yo wear a mask. Interrupting her to say that her child was no exception to the 'laws'.Mind you, the poor shopper had her hands full of things, trying to get a handle on her kid, and the employee was actively criticizing her in front of other employees (of which 1 also was wearing a mask below the nose while walking around the store)& the shoppers. There's a nice way to ask someone (politely!) to wear a mask properly,instead of shaming a customer publicly and making a scene. Honestly it made me never want to come back. You can't even go out these days, to a thrift store of all places, without being openly criticized (for all we know, the lady could have problems breathing; give her some grace) for something you are or aren't doing. Whatever happened to being kind and gracious, especially in times like these? That's what this world needs...not more judgemental thrift store mask-Nazis on...