Apology needed
Dear Editor:
I am the woman of color, the victim of the verbal attack that took place at the 42nd Street Bagel, April 1st. My family is deeply rooted in the city of Claremont. We moved here 35 years ago. My children are also residents of Claremont. My grandchildren are second-generation Claremont Unified School District students. As you read this story put yourself in my place, I was devastated.
I will never return to the 42nd St Bagel, hopefully others will think twice before spending their money there. The assailant in this attack was a heavy set older white male and he wore a faded David Duke for president T-shirt. In this letter I will refer to him as loose cannon.
Let me give you an account of the incident. Tuesday morning April 1st, I went into The 42nd Street Bagel for my weekly lox and bagels, as I have been doing for the last several years. I was at the counter waiting for my order, when this loose cannon reached over me and slammed his dirty travel cup on the counter in front of me. I put the mug to the left side of the counter and asked him to go around me. He began to shout explicatives and told me to “F” myself. The loose cannon continued to shout a barrage of insults in my face for several minutes. I could see this situation was escalating. I called out to [the clerk] to get the manager. I was being attacked and the clerk said nothing to me, she just stood back from the counter and acted as if I had not spoken and looked at me as if I were invisible and was not standing in front of her.
The young female standing next to me asked the clerk, “Did you hear this lady ask for the manager?” [the clerk] promptly responded to her and said someone went to get her. Jennifer (the manager) came out and stood at the end of the counter. I explained to her what had happened.
She said nothing to me, smiled, looked at the loose cannon, picked up the mug called him by name and directed him to come with her as she walked away. At this point I was almost speechless, but I then asked was she going to allow a customer to be attacked in her place of business and say nothing? Her response was, “He is a regular customer.” She left the area and I stood there and thought to myself how could she be so insensitive? This situation was surreal, I was overwhelmed and in shock, how could this be happening to me?
I shook my head in disbelief and left the bagel shop. The next day I called 42nd Street Bagel and spoke with Jennifer. She began to apologize and said she was, “Trying to put out the fire,” referring to the loose cannon and that when she returned I had already left. I expressed my disappointment in management’s handling of this situation. I also questioned her managerial skills. I accepted her apology—however, later I thought an apology from her was not good enough.
My adult son, who is a manager himself, attempted to reach the owner by telephone. He was unable to reach him by phone so he left a message and asked that the owner return his call. Bob Hall never returned his call but my son did call again on April 16 and spoke to him. He apologized for the incident but refrained from saying anything else on advise from his attorney. When asked if the loose cannon was welcomed in his establishment, he advised my son that they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone and would not go any further than that.
The attack I experienced shouldn’t happen to anyone. Is there any place one can feel safe? Loose cannons roam the streets and bagel shops in the best suburbs even on our city noted for trees and Ph D’s and rated the “5th best place to live.” Oh my God they are everywhere.
What is this world coming to?
I will accept a public apology. The Claremont COURIER is an acceptable media.
I would also like to give thanks to the overwhelming show of support that I have received from the good people of Claremont once it was learned that I was the victim of this assault.
Former 42nd Street Bagel Customer
74-year-old woman of color
