By Derek Lantzsch Santa Monica
I went to the Barnes and Nobles on Third Street Promenade to ask why they closed the bathrooms.
I spoke to three employees, one the manager. The first told me they closed them because of the homeless and security issues.
The second told me they closed them because of security issues and had nothing to do with the homeless.
The next one, the manager said, “The store has no reason to give and doesn’t need any to close our bathroooms to the public.” She became testy and rude as well as raising her voice at me.
I asked why she was so nasty just because I was inquiring about the bathrooms. She had nothing but more raised voice nastiness and I left before I was going to get maybe assaulted by her. I never raised my voice, or said anything improper during my inquiry. But she even had a guard come to her side while she berated me for asking.
I called headquarters at Barnes and Noble and they were very surprised at the fact that the bathrooms in this store were closed to the public.
I was assured by the CEO of Barnes and Noble, Mr. Mitch Klippers’ secretary, that Barnes and Noble will fix this matter.
As for that nasty loud manager? I guess we can chalk it up to she has a bad attitude.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 5, 2004. Read the original PDF.