Dairy Godmother, Alexandria: RUDE and AWFUL

[Anonymous]

We go there fairly often (every other week or so), and they have always been very nice to us - the workers say hello to DS, call him "handsome" etc. While there is no obligation for them to let anyone in after closing, and I can understand their frustration that you did not make use of the bathroom while the establishment was open, it would have been nice if the employee had let your little girl in to go. However, the majority of the workers there appear to be high school students, and the owner probably doesn't want to vest much discretion in them, so there is probably a policy on this. Also, the owner did make an effort to respond to your e-mail concern (although apparently not to your satisfaction). I can understand how it might not have been the greatest first experience with the place, and if you don't want to return, that's your choice. I don't see how it rises to the level of "RUDE" and "AWFUL."

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with the OP -- she is beyond rude. We frequented her store for years. I love the all natural ingredients, unique flavors, etc. In the past 18 months I have noticed a steady decline in quality of product, attitude of employees and the owner, and a nearly filthy store.

By the way, I am a business owner and know a thing or two about customer service.

First and foremost the owner chose to open her shop in a neighborhood teeming with families, it is literally one block away from an elementary school -- she chose this location because KIDS LOVE FROZEN CUSTARD & ICE CREAM. THAT'S RIGHT KIDS! Kids are her targeted market, she does have a few grown up flavors, but that's just bonus for the parents. She has made a successful business off of children's love of dairy and sugar.

After being a frequent customer of hers, my family stopped going when she put the "No strollers" sign up. If the fire department really and truely told her to put it up, then why does it have a time on it and not an occupancy quote? Also, why did the fire department not give her a sign to put up? I could go on and on, but I won't because I don't have time. If I did, I would look up Alexandria's fire ordinances on outlawing strollers in storefronts.

I took my three kids there this spring by myself. Husband was out of town and I took the kids at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday. There were literally 4 people in the store. I didn't notice the "no stroller" sign until I sat down with all of my kids, the youngest at the time was 6 months, next in age 2.5, and the oldest 6.5.

The kids and I ordered sundaes and were quietly eating away when the owner approached me. She scornfully looked at me, and I knew what she was about to say and then she said it: Owner "You know we have a no stroller policy.", Me: "Yes, I noticed it after I sat down. That's too bad." Owner: "Well, I'm only letting you off because you're by yourself with three kids. Next time no stroller." Me: "Silence"

The owner was very specific in her words of "We have a no stroller policy. She never mentioned the fire department even though I know she has it on her small, unnoticeable piece of paper on her front door." She also confronted me when almost no one was in there. In fact when she did confront me, my family were the only ones still in the store.

End of story -- we will never go back. I'm not typically that kind of person but she doesn't deserve our money.

[Anonymous]

FYI - St. Elmos Coffee shop a few doors down from Dairy Godmother also has the stroller sign.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read through all the posts but if the OP is still reading, welcome to Alexandria! When we moved here from the Northeast a few years ago, many people told us how about Del Ray and how great it is and I'm still trying to figure out what they mean. We don't live in the neighborhood but go there occasionally to eat and wander around and are nearly always disappointed. DG is certainly overpriced and seems to be run by a bunch of surly teenages, the large Mex/Salvadorian place is worse than a zoo, the taco place is bland and St. Elmo's coffee is disgusting.

Still, given the price of real estate around there, I must be missing something...

[Anonymous]

This thread is the exact reason why I cannot wait to move the hell away from DC. This city SUCKS ASS!

[Anonymous]

Okay, PP here. I've had a little time to research the VA Fire Code, and the City of Alexandria Code and Ordinances. As far as I could find, there are no laws or regulations barring or banning strollers from public places, store fronts, etc.

I don't have Lexis/Nexis on my computer, but if someone would like to double check this for me, please do. I can't certify that I'm correct, but at this moment I don't see anything in writing on the stroller issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read through all the posts but if the OP is still reading, welcome to Alexandria! When we moved here from the Northeast a few years ago, many people told us how about Del Ray and how great it is and I'm still trying to figure out what they mean. We don't live in the neighborhood but go there occasionally to eat and wander around and are nearly always disappointed. DG is certainly overpriced and seems to be run by a bunch of surly teenages, the large Mex/Salvadorian place is worse than a zoo, the taco place is bland and St. Elmo's coffee is disgusting.

Still, given the price of real estate around there, I must be missing something...

I can't figure it out either. Agree with every one of your comments. How can coffee be so bad?

[Anonymous]

I live in Del Ray and I absolutely love it. There is a great sense of community here, and it's walkable and convenient. With that being said, I never understood it being a "destination" spot. I don't know that I'd make a trip all the way over to Del Ray if I lived elsewhere. When people say they love it, in my experience, they are talking about it being a lovely neighborhood to reside in -- not some fun and magical destination for people from elsewhere.

Of course, I'm sure the business owners and associations are striving to bring in outside business, but we'll see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

When people say they love it, in my experience, they are talking about it being a lovely neighborhood to reside in -- not some fun and magical destination for people from elsewhere.

For us folks from Parker Gray, it is a magical destination place. However, that's probably because all we have is one pitiful starbucks and the Salvadorian place that smells like roach spray.

[Anonymous]

The Fairy Godmothers in Dupont are really nice.

[Anonymous]

This thread is hilarious. I found it because I encountered a rude teenager at Dairy Godmother and I searched the name out of curiosity. We moved from Richmond and the high school kids working at the Gelati Celesti there are wonderful (and the ice cream is a thousand time better than TDG, IMO) and the owner there wouldn't put up with rude behavior one second. I am with the OP, we will not be going back there again.

[Anonymous]

Never been there, but I do find it encouraging that the economy is picking up to the point where retail establishments can afford to treat customers so apathetically (and some customers will actually applaud them for doing so.). Things are looking up.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP. We just went in there last week and the staff was rude. And the yogurt was not that good and expensive IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. We just went in there last week and the staff was rude. And the yogurt was not that good and expensive IMO.

Oh great, another idiot pulling up an OLD thread and not even getting the basic facts straight. It's custard, not yogurt you moron.

[Anonymous]

Hehe, good resurrected thread.

What I love is that people are furious -- furious -- that businesses have (gasp!) closing times and (gasp!) store policies, and that they are their precious offspring might have to (gasp!) abide by those closing times and policies.

Nothing like entitled people who have never worked retail spouting off for a good laugh.