March 2017 by Claire M.
Earlier today, I stopped by my local library in Shillington to pick up a book order I reserved online. The parking lot was full, with the exception of several handicapped spots. I also quickly saw that, given the recent blizzard, there was no available street parking. There is a parking lot immediately behind the Mifflin Library's lot. Seeing several open spaces, I drove over to park for a momentary stop at the library. While parking, I heard someone yelling a phrase repeatedly and very loudly. I couldn't make out the words and didn't see a source. I exited my vehicle and realized there was a man standing at the top of some stairs adjacent to the lot screaming... at me. He identified himself as the owner of the private business and that I couldn't park there. While still screaming and gesturing wildly, he indicated that the lot was for his customers only. I apologized and explained that the lot to the library is full and I would just like to park for a moment to run over and pick up my book. He continued to yell, act aggressive with his body language, and demanded I park illegally in the library lot. I pleaded with him politely, acknowledging it must be frustrating for others to park in his lot, but I really only would be there a moment. I also pointed out there were multiple openings in his lot -- 5-8 perhaps (and for a small business such as his, that's plenty). This back and forth continued. This man repeatedly yelled at me from across the lot, while 1) accusing me of breaking the law, and 2) simultaneously encouraging me to break it by parking in a handicapped space or out front of the library with my blinkers on (blocking everyone else from movement). I informed him I would be writing a review on Yelp and also letting the police know about him. Was his behavior truly criminal? At most, with some stretch, it could be disorderly conduct or borderline harassment, but I was not interested in involving police over something so petty. My purpose in offering that I would inform the police about him was to protect my self and my belongings.This man's behavior was so irrational, I could see him damaging my vehicle or in the alternative, my person, out of anger. After that, I moved my vehicle to the library lot, parking illegally, informed the library volunteers about my experience, picked up my reservation, and left. The interaction left me with questions. First: Why would this man automatically assume that I was not a salon customer of the past or the present? How would he know that I had not been stopping by to check out the salon? He was yelling at my vehicle before I even exited it. I will give him the benefit of seeing me initially stop at the library lot. Assuming that was the case, as a business owner, wouldn't you view every person as a possible customer? What business-savvy end is achieved by causing a scene and yelling angrily at passersby to your establishment? How does that activity compute to dollars made? Second: As a small business owner, wouldn't it make sense to encourage traffic to your local library? Libraries attract GOOD, they are community staples. I can understand that it could be annoying if patrons parked in his lot, taking up all the spaces, but where is the courtesy to an individual who requests to park for just a moment? Where is the community encouragement? With multiple spaces open in his lot, did my request to park my small car for a matter of two minutes really affect his bottom line? Unfortunately, this business owner's response indicates huge problems with the way he manages his business as well as his view of the community. Sir, my mother had been a customer of your hair studio. I checked out your services a few months back when I moved to the area (which is tough because you don't have a website, which would mean you would want foot traffic to your establishment -- you know, the kind you discouraged by yelling at me). You can be sure that I will be telling everyone I know about this interaction. My small car in your near-empty lot for a max
