All American Fireworks in Gary Indiana are self-proclaimed racist! When we arrived they were giving people in the front of store discounts. They were bargaining with their "white" customers and giving discounts all over the store. My brother and I did not get any discounts, however.in fact the only attention we received were several employees following us around the store.
When we got to the counter to pay for our merchandise, they were so rude and nasty that I almost changed my mind from asking if we could get a discount like everyone else. I decided that if everyone else could get a discount that we should be entitled to one as well, so I asked if we could get a few dollars off of the total purchase price. No! She replied without even looking at us. We went ahead and gave them our business anyway and made the purchase.
As we were leaving, a man came out of nowhere and grabbed my brother and said the employees think he has put merchandise in his bag that he didn't pay for and he had to search it. He said he was a police officer and that he was sure we were stealing. I asked him why would we steal something after we had just spent money buying something. He threatened to tackle us and take our bag to look in it if we didn't allow him to look in it.
He showed us a gun and handcuffs and insisted on searching us and our bags. I have never been so offended and humiliated in my life. Being of African American decent, we run into this type of thing all the time, but I would never spend money at a place who practiced this type of discrimination. After our rights were violated and it was clear that we didn't steal anything, I went back to get a refund. The lady laughed and said they didn't give refunds.
This was the worst experience I have ever had on a major holiday. I would recommend that if you're looking for fireworks stores of locations that sell fireworks in Gary Indiana that you do not shop at All American fireworks on Burr St. Their security staff were clearly attempting to impersonate officers of the law and that is a felony. I didn't know this type of racism existed in but I guess I was mistaken.
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