Carlie C's IGA — Local services in Washington

Last week, my colleague decided to have seafood for dinner. She went to pick up some lobster tails and other ingredients she wanted to cook. By the time she reached the register, she had a fairly large basket of items.

As she approached the checkout, the cashier stepped from behind the register and asked, “How are you going to pay?” My colleague was caught off guard and just looked at him. He then repeated, “Are you using EBT? You know, food stamps?”

Shocked, she composed herself and informed him that she was paying with her debit card. He glanced at her cart and remarked, “That’s a lot of stuff. How can you afford all of this?”

He then walked back behind the register and muttered, “I hate when people use food stamps. I can’t stand those people. I don’t like food stamps or those Benefits cards. I won’t ring them up—I get someone else to do it.”

As if that wasn’t enough, he proceeded to ask where she worked. She simply replied, “My job.” He pressed further, repeatedly asking where, but she refused to answer. The entire time, he kept making comments about the amount of food in her cart and reiterating his dislike for food stamps.

What makes this situation particularly disturbing is that my colleague is an African-American woman. Does this cashier question everyone with a full cart? Or is he only targeting Black customers? Does he assume that being Black automatically means relying on food stamps?

As she stood at the register, she took a moment to glance at his name tag. It read: BILL, Store Manager.

I sincerely hope no one else has to experience the discrimination and prejudice my colleague faced that day.

For context, my colleague works full-time, holds two Master’s degrees, and is currently pursuing her doctorate. But in that moment, she wasn’t seen as a hardworking professional—she was reduced to a harmful stereotype.

And even if she did have food stamps, that still wouldn’t justify such treatment! No one deserves to be humiliated at the checkout line simply for how they choose—or are able—to pay for...

This is a great hometown grocery store. Really fresh produce (some of the best peaches I’ve ever had!) , a great deli and a nice bakery selection! They’ve got you covered if you’re on the way to a barbecue and have to pick up something for dessert. Specifically mentioning the premade banana pudding that’s in the front by the cash registers- and right on the shelf outside the produce section. I’ve made several banana crème pies with this product and gotten RAVE reviews- it went to last Thanksgiving and Christmas! Give this product a try if you stop in- I’ve not seen it anywhere else!

They’ve got a comprehensive and diverse stock in the store. I’ve always been able to find what I needed. The meat section always has nice steaks, burger, chicken, and pork and plenty of ethnic offerings such as organ meat, pigs feet, neck bones etc.

The staff is friendly and usually ask if they can help you find anything. It’s nice to have a human check your groceries through since so many places are “self” check now. They bag it and even offer to carry it to your car. This level of customer service is unique & very appreciated!

Their prices are comparable to other local grocery stores in Washington, NC . Great beer and wine selection, nice “hot bar” if you’re grabbing something for lunch too.

Highly recommend this store. Carlie C’s keep up...

Only place in Washington that has a good selection of fresh cut meats. I dont buy that pre-packaged gassed meat that Walmart and Foodlion sell. I prefer to have meat freshly packaged. This store gets alot of business since the one in the mall shut down. It is much smaller also. I give it 4 stars simply because it is not large. There should be one on 264 where the Foodlion moved from. That would be an awesome location and a much...