1 /5 L S: I typically don’t leave reviews, but I felt obligated to after my experience at Radiant Outfitters this past Tuesday.
My husband and I love shopping downtown Stuart, FL. We are visiting from Michigan and I had planned to stop in to purchase a few pieces I had previously seen. Unfortunately, my experience in the store changed that decision.
There were two women working at the time, and my husband and I were the only customers inside. He was casually browsing and occasionally checking his phone while I shopped. As I looked through the racks, shopping completely normal, I felt intensely watched. I was not doing anything suspicious whatsoever. I was simply browsing as one does in a boutique. It became difficult to shop and enjoy myself because of how closely I was being observed.
Several times I looked up and found one of the employees staring directly at me. At one point, I purposely held eye contact for a few seconds to confirm what I was feeling, and sure enough, eyes locked. As I walked to another section of the store, I said, “I feel very watched right now.” I normally would never say something like that, but the discomfort had reached that level.
One woman responded, “Don’t mind us, we’re just staring off into space.” The other added, in a less-than-friendly tone, “Yep, and there’s four cameras in here too. That’s the way the world is now.” I was not referencing the cameras, and quite frankly, mentioning surveillance cameras does not make a customer feel at ease. Most stores have cameras; that wasn’t the concern. The concern was the unwelcoming and scrutinizing atmosphere.
I had fully intended on purchasing a Hammitt bag, jeans, and several of their beautiful Italian pieces. I like to browse the entire store before deciding, so I don’t miss anything. Instead, I felt so uncomfortable that I couldn’t wait to leave. They missed out on what would have been a very substantial sale, especially during a quiet time in the store.
As a business owner myself, the experience was disappointing. Hospitality and warmth matter. And as a Christian woman, it felt especially disheartening to experience this while seeing a Bible verse represented on their social media. The interaction simply didn’t align with that message.
My husband and I are in our 30s, and if age or appearance played any role in the assumptions made, I would gently encourage reconsidering that mindset. Today, those things mean very little when it comes to who someone is or their ability to support a business.
I truly hope this feedback is taken constructively. At this point, I will think twice before returning.
