Bookmark — Local services in Neptune Beach

By all accounts this seems to be a nice book store. I remember buying a few things from them in their old location and never had any problems. However, earlier this morning I went in to inquire about any possible job openings and was treated disgustingly. I was asked to wait until the owner, Rhona, was off the phone to ask her myself. Not only did she not reciprocate my introduction she also refused to shake my hand. Instead placing her left hand on mine and lowering it. This alone made me feel embarrassed and unwelcome in her store. But as if that weren't enough she then proceeded to belittle me in front of her staff and customers. She asked what kind of job I was looking for. A little confused by this, as it's a very small store, I answered "something along the lines of stocking shelves or working the cash register..." At which point she curtly replied, "We don't do that. We sell books here". It took all of my will power to remain courteous as Rhona asked me several other patronizing questions, only after which did she reveal that the store was in fact not hiring and that she could think of nowhere else where I should try. While there's the possibility that she was simply having a bad day and I approached her at the wrong time, it doesn't excuse her actions. If you'd rather not answer inquires like this then don't. And certainly don't use them as an opportunity to degrade someone simply for fun. While the store itself is a good one by any standards I simply cannot give business to someone who has no capacity for human dignity. To shop at The Bookmark is to give validation...

I don't understand why people are so upset a out the store requiring customers to wear masks. Florida said it was up to store owners to make the call if they wanted customers to wear masks. The military base requires everyone to wear a mask so for my daughter and I when visiting this store it's not a big deal. We love coming here and my daughter tends to find a new book to read every time. The ladies are very pleasant and remember my daughter each time we visit. They always suggest a new book for her based off of the books she's read/reading and her interests. A few weeks ago she was the first one to buy Cat Problems and it had just come out that day. She loves her new finds and tends to tell all her friends about her new books. Then when we go to read to the animals at the Humane Society, she brings a couple of those new books with. We will definitely be coming...

I recently had a negative experience here at a book signing. When i arrived, they informed us that masks were required, even though not previously indicated and not during Covid. If you took your mask down, she would reprimand you like a school kid.

There were not enough seats, and I had to sit on the floor. Even a safe distance from others, I still got scolded twice for my mask being down, even with no mask mandate and in DeSantis's Florida.

Having to sit on the floor might not have been a bad thing since the seating was a mismatch of plastic outdoor chairs. One man even fell over with the cheap plastic on the slick dance floor. Ironically, people were taking pictures with the author and removing their masks.

Enjoyed the author and the book, not the venue or the handling of...