Mercy's Closet — Local services in Minden

Management needs unconscious bias training---I liked the mission-driven concept, and the content was excellent, but I had a bad experience with being singled out as a black man shopping at the store on the second visit later in the afternoon. My first visit earlier in the day was great and the staff was excellent--I shopped, checked out and was not harassed at all. The staff was very professional and kind.

However, I guess there was an evening team who decided to ask me to check my mini- backpack after a few minutes of me shopping as the lone black man in the store. I came back to check out some items I needed to think about from earlier.

Checking bags is common at consignment shops for customers and all bags have to be checked--there are signs stating it as you enter and it is for all clients. They provide you with a number to claim your bag when you leave.

This store had no signs, no mentioned of this at all, and only singled me out. I told the young lady that I was there earlier and this was odd as I had not been asked to check my mini-back pack. I stated that I would take my bag to my car which I did, but I felt so uncomfortable that I could not focus on the experience anymore as I knew I was being treated differently. I surveyed the store looking for signs and checking out the other clients--mostly "White Women" with large purses and shopping freely.

I then went to the check-out counter to see if there were signs and took photos and walked outside to view the signs on the front door to see if it stated bags needed to be checked--there were none. I left.

I called back and ask for the manager and they said she was not in, so I told them how my experience felt. I told them they need sensitivity training---two different experiences in the same store in the same day with different staff teams. The staff member proceeded to tell me they have cameras everywhere and the manager told them to approach me and ask me to check my backpack in which of course further highlighted that this was intentional and profiling. They were watching me and since I was a black man with a small mini back-pack.

Sometimes good concepts and places just need training to be successful and to treat all people fairly. I hope they consider the advice an ensure no one else endures this...

So if you leave a negative review, be prepared to be publicly called out, down to the fact they “gave” you used underwear? It may not cost you American dollars, but beware it may cost your dignity.

Edit to add: ma'am, I have been in such a situation before. Quite so. I actually went into this business to fill out an application for free clothes, and recieved the same treatment many others describe. I've also shopped there when not in need of free items, and nothing noteworthy occurred. However, I rated Mercy's Closet as a direct result of my most recent visit, in which I witnessed a representative of the business degrade a mother, in front of her children, for her "poor decisions". Respectfully, perhaps a volunteer would be better suited to handling the applicants for free clothes. Otherwise your business may suffer as a result of your disdain for so many of the clients...

This store does more than provide quality new and used items at reasonable prices. They are compassionate and dedicated to what they do. The employees are so kind and helpful. So if your experience was less than 100% it is usually because your child/children are destroying the store because you are using it for a daycare while you shop or because you are a hateful or unruly customer. They work very hard to make the store clean, and organized for the community they serve. So before you leave a negative review you might want to wonder if you may be the problem. Be kind always. I love this...