Nehring’s Sendik's on Downer — Local services in Milwaukee

I frequent the location on Downer St. I had a very troubling event happen today and I'd like to give a neutral and factual report of what happened. I initially went across the street and obtained a loaf of bread from the bakery. Once done I remembered that I didn't have cheese so I decided, though a bit pricy, that I would support my local grocer and buy some cheese from Sendiks. As soon as I walked in, bread in hand, I thought to myself; it won't look too good if I walk around with a bag of bread, people will think I'm stealing, so I asked the cleck at the front for a bag. He understood and gave me one. I walked to the back where the cheese section is and took 2 packs of pepper jack cheese (my favorite) and put them in the bag as I was going to look around for more incidentals. I was almost immediately confronted by a middleaged man asking why I was placing things in my bag. I looked around at the store and realized that a large portion of the clientele actually used their own bags (granted, I was using a sendiks branded bag). I told him exactly what my intentions were. He gave me a "once over" and said that it didn't look good and that I shouldn't do that. As a POC I was a little upset and embarrassed at being singled out and talked to in that way publicly so I dropped the cheese to the side and decided to take my business elsewhere.

This is where it gets weird; As I'm walking home the gentleman walks out of the store with the cheese in his hands and yell at me "aren't you going to buy these", I was furious! but I kept my calm and gestured for him to come closer. I explained that I felt insulted to be singled out and that I would take my business somewhere else. He then continued to insinuate that I was trying to basically swindle him. I offered to show him my bank account and Amex Card (hyperbole, I know but I was furious). I asked to speak with a manager, but he stated he was the owner. At that point, the register-man ran out of the store to implore to the man that "Hey, he asked for the bag" to explain why I had a bag, due to my bread purchase, but at that point, the man's pride was too caught up in the situation. I threw the plastic bag on the floor and he reclaimed that I was littering. I was angry, I walked in and told him that he should stop being racist, and I left.

I have recanted the events neutrally and stated evenly what occurred on both sides. I would only add and reemphasize that this is a very affluent neighborhood and most customers bring their own bags. The store only has one exit and one entrance. If someone would try to steal something it would be easily caught. I felt singled out do to my "look". I don't blame the staff, or even the company, I actually LIKE sendiks. This man took it too far, and I will make sure that the local community here where I live knows about it on social media and in conversation. You're allowed to protect your business interests, but you're not allowed to discriminate against your customers.

Thank you for...

A nice small neighborhood grocery with good produce, beer and wine. The meat and deli sections are nice, but we have had bad luck ordering prime rib for the holidays two years in a row. Very fatty, expensive and disappointing. However. the gravy for mashed potatoes from the deli case or for holiday meals is beyond good. It is so good it could be habit forming! Ha!

The deli department is well-stocked with something for everyone and the hot case is small, but with nice offerings.

We love the floral department too. I am hoping it stays because I never see anyone buying flowers despite pretty cut bouquets and plants! And you can purchase by the stem.

A bit pricier than big grocery stores, but it is a neighborhood grocery store.

They have bags of packaged imported butter cookies in many varieties. OMG.

The staff is always friendly and even the young employees are usually great. They have obviously been trained not to be on the phone or talking to one another during customer interactions. I know this sounds crazy, but they remind me of the way you'd expect employees to be, not they way they often are.

The store can be very crowded at times, so you'll just have to get used to it and be happy they are doing a good business. The good news is that they really do carry a lot of produce for a small store and beyond the usual staples.

I have not noticed much diversity among the staff and would like to see that change a bit, but of course, I do not know if they are receiving applications from a diverse group of people.

People have complained about panhandlers in front of the store, and this is often the case on all of Downer, but if you are lucky enough to live near and shop on Downer, even as a student with roommates you can open up your wallet or learn how to kindly say, "not today".

I'm reading this review and realize I could come off as insufferable, but I like to read reviews with good information...

Love the convenience of having a neighborhood grocery that’s within walking distance and the staff is always friendly (though there’s been multiple times when one of the girls at the register will keep a line waiting as she chats with friends -or boys, that have already paid) . It’s also charming and has a good selection for a smaller store. However, customers rely on their local grocery store to provide food that’s fresh, healthy and safe. The last few months - since at least end of October ‘20) the bakery case has been infested with fruit flies and flies that crawl / sit all over the baked goods - and I’ve also seen them in the deli case. I’ve pointed this out twice to the bakery case staff over the last couple months and the problem still persists as of this week. Lefse is in the refrigerated case as of Christmas week which as been expired since 8/26 /2020. I’ve pointed that out 3 times since this fall and since the last time I reported it, it’s still there but the 8 has conveniently been smudged out on all of them so only 26/ 20 is now legible. It’s disappointing that I count on this store to have options I feel safe providing...