April 2024 by Hope Keith
I was camping in James River State Park for spring break with a group of my fellow undergrad professors. We are all 26-28. We stopped at this gas station for more fire starters as it was the closest open place. While we were looking around I noticed an alcohol I didn’t try and grabbed it. One of the males on the group with me forgot his ID, but showed his university badge and got denied. He went out to his car to look for his ID and I walked up with mine, not knowing if this interaction. I had several other items other than the single can of a local craft IPA and she explicitly told me she will not serve me and will use her right to refuse me because she saw me with my “little friends.” I explained to her that we are all professors and work together and that he simply couldn’t find his ID. She then refused to serve me fully. I have no explanation for this as we are grown adults, other than us wearing tie dye or because my friend is African American. I would not recommend this gas station, I would in fact avoid it. The second we walked through the door, we were not even looked at or acknowledged. Granted this could be the single employee, the very old blonde woman, but as a woman I would not ever feel comfortable entering this gas station alone. But I guess if they don’t want my money, their loss!
