Bakers C & C — Local services in Murray

Great selection of gel colours, but I'll buy them elsewhere. (Context: I've been here a few times (even though their store hours make it difficult for anyone who works 9-5), always the only customer at the time, or one of two people, and every time I've received lack-luster customer service. The last time took me over the edge, as not only could the employee not be bothered to give even the most phoned-in customer service, they acted like my being there was a complete annoyance. I've worked retail, and I can appreciate being tired and having hard days. I don't need to be greeted at the door or followed around the store to ask if I'm finding what I need. What I do need, is for the person already at the register to acknowledge my existence when I approach ready to buy things. Each time I've visited this store the awkward silence of the person at the register who eventually looks at my handful of items and starts ringing them up gets longer and longer. I don't think I've even been given the customary 'thank you'; I end up saying it to fill the gap. I don't know if everyone I've encountered there has RBF, or if my quiet timid presence just ruins their day, but I'm not willing to go back...

I live a good 30 minutes away, but find myself making the drive out here about once a year to stock up on the more difficult to find cake decorating supplies. They have just about everything a cake decorator could need (as you can see from their website). Their prices are sometimes a little higher than what I want, but not too bad for those otherwise difficult to find items. I do however still buy the cake drums, dowels, fondant markers, etc... at Hobby Lobby because it ends up being much cheaper than Bakers C&C (but that is because I can use the Hobby Lobby weekly 40% off coupons).

As far as customer service, I will say it's 75/25: usually they know what I'm talking about, but sometimes they don't. They certainly don't jump up to come ask me if I need help (I like that) and they are always very friendly when I approach them.

If you're wondering about my skill level (hence, my understanding of cake decorating and supply needs), I will say that I took all the Wilton cake decorating classes for buttercream, fondant and gum paste. I regularly make 3-tier cakes, some with over 500 royal icing flowers on them. I buy all my cake supplies at either Hobby Lobby...

I went in to the story to pick up some things ($100+ worth) for my mother, a professional baker who has been a customer for 30 years. Neither of the two employees was wearing a mask. There was no sign on the door requiring masks (despite a public health order being in place), and none of the customers who came inside the store while I was there wore masks and were not asked to wear them. There were no visible hand-sanitizing stations and not apparent attempt to create social distancing safeguards for customers (the story is small; thankfully while I was there only four other customers were in the store). I've reported the store to the Salt Lake County Public Health Department. I purchased some of the items (they were out of several types of chocolates -- likely due to production issues from suppliers) but I decided to quickly buy what was in my basket and buy the rest at Orson Gygi down the road. It's unfortunate that Baker's is such a poor community-minded small business and has no qualms putting others at risk. We like the place for many things, including their good selection of cake drums. But, we will permanently stop...