violet simental
My wife and I visited this store on December 14th around 2 PM. We’ve been here many times before and usually have a positive experience. Most of the staff on this visit were friendly, welcoming, and checked in to see if we were finding what we needed. However, one interaction made the visit extremely uncomfortable. While we were browsing the vintage GI Joe figurines and video game discs—a category we specifically collect and often purchase from antique stores—an older woman stood so close to us the entire time that I could have taken a step sideways and bumped into her. At first, we assumed she was another customer looking at the same items. But as we moved along the display, she continued to stay within inches of us, repeatedly stepping closer rather than giving space. We became worried she was a strange person who was wandering the store and almost told a staff member. The situation became more strange when my wife moved to a different section of the store, and the woman silently followed her, continuing to browse the same displays without saying anything. This felt unsettling. It wasn’t until an employee approached her and asked for keys to a display case that we realized she was actually working there. The fact that she appeared to be pretending to browse merchandise while closely trailing customers—without explanation or communication—was deeply uncomfortable. We are adults (28 and 26) who were behaving respectfully. If we were loud middle schoolers I would understand a little more. We understand loss prevention is part of retail, but this approach felt inappropriate and unsettling rather than professional. Clear communication or visible staff presence would have been far preferable to silent, close following. We’ve enjoyed this store in the past, but this experience left us reluctant to return unless staff interactions become more transparent and respectful of personal space.





