Alpine Festival of Arts and Crafts — Local services in Helen

I was very disappointed by the horrendous treatment my family received at Alpine Festive of the Arts & Crafts in Helen. I was there with my children in the toy section, and they were picking out souvenirs for our trip. I knew there was a problem when the owner/manager (older grumpy woman with really long gray/blond hair) began not-so-covertly watching us from behind a Beanie Baby display.

When I asked if there was a bathroom, she snarled "No! It's across the street, and you need to watch your kids or get out because they're running around and touching everything! They're going to break something!!!" Those are literally the very first words she spoke to me. I explained to her that my children were standing with me the entire time and they were only touching toys (that were out on the floor and at kid-touching eye level...in the toy section) as they were selecting what to purchase.

She was instantly very angry and nasty. She genuinely looked as though she hated us (Hmm...I wonder why???) and insisted that they were going to break something and that we should "get out of the store." She continued to remark about how my kids were running all over the store and was clearly flustered when I pointed out that (1) all of my children were standing right there next to me watching her (foolish crazy behavior) and (2) all brown children in a store at the same time do not necessarily belong to the same mother (there were other brown families with children there and gasp we weren't related).

I assured her that I would pay for anything and everything my children broke, as unlikely as that was, and calmly pointed out that the only thing my child, a 3 year old, had was a stuffed animal...which we were planning on purchasing before she lost her mind. I'm not sure how anyone breaks a stuffed animal, but after she continued to tell us to "get out" as my children were staring at her, my 7-year-old asked me, "Mommy, why does that lady hate us?" And on that note...we left.

This store is horrible. The owner/manager is evil. I would NEVER come here again, and I suggest that families with children find one of the nice family-friendly Helen shops in which to spend...

I went to this store picking out something that I liked but wanted to check the other shops since I’ve never been to this Helen town. I come back 10 minutes before they close knowing they close at 6pm, the door is locked and a woman (with brown hair in a pony tail) sweeping wouldn’t unlock it. Then I proceed to call. A woman picked up the phone and I said “I guess you guys closed early, but I already know what I want. I would just have to grab it and check out.” She said “we already shut down the computers.”

This was on 12/22/22 at 5:50pm. Managers, you may want to check on your employees who are pulling business from your company.

Thanks!...

I absolutely love this store in Helen! It's definitely one of my favorites! However I do not like the customer service that is provided. Especially, on Sunday's when there is only one person running the entire store. The store is pretty big and I personally feel that there should be more customer service reps to help out in the shop. Considering it is Helen, and Helen is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the...