Beading 2 Go

I wish I could give this business a good review — but apparently I do not exist to them!
I went to Beading 2 Go (which is hidden back in the corner of a shopping center off Bandera next to Hobby Lobby and Hancock Fabrics) on a mission: I needed to get Lion head/​Lion themed charms and kilt or bendable brooch pins for a project with a friend. I was on my way to her house and we needed the supplies to finish the pins that night. If I couldn’t find the charms, I was willing to buy any other, similar sized charms and wire to manufacture what we needed from scratch and I thought Beading 2 Go would be able to help me with this.
When I entered the shop, there were 5 or 6 women and young ladies in the front at tables working on projects and a staff member helping 2 ladies at a back counter. Everyone was talking and seemed to be working on beading projects, so I wasn’t initially offended that no one said ‘Hello’, made eye contact, or acknowledged I had entered the store.
As I began to systematically sweep the shelves through the store and on the wall, I found I was still ignored. Since I was looking for something specific from their large selection it took me several minutes to work my way to the back wall of the store. In this entire time, not one of the employees even looked at me as I continued my very obvious search for something specific. I figured I could ask for help if I didn’t find it myself.
As I was about ¾ of the way through the store, a woman walked in (about 4 – 5 minutes after I had entered) and was promptly greeted with a huge smile, a «Hello!», and the question from the staff member near the front tables if she could help her look for anything. There was no indication this woman was a regular customer and after a short exchange she left the store to a ‘Good bye!, come again!.‘
This was the point I realized I must be invisible, because I had reached the front of the store and still, no greeting, no acknowledgment, no eye contact. The only difference between myself and this woman was that I was in a T-​shirt, jeans, and flip flops (nothing dirty or smelly), while she was a bit older and in business attire. At this point, it seemed pointless to ask for help, since they did not seem to want my business.
I left the store without a word being said to me and walked next door to Hobby Lobby where I was able to find the pins and charms I needed. I was greeted and helped by a busy employee, despite it being a larger, chain store and Hobby Lobby had roughly the exact same offerings in terms of beads, pins, and fixings that this smaller store had.
With a larger store that carries a near identical selection of goods, I would think that Beading 2 Go would be more concerned with customer service.
I am usually in favor of supporting local businesses over chains, but in this case I would advise that anyone who needs beading supplies avoid being treated like you don’t exist, and simply go to Hobby Lobby in the first place.

Beading 2 Go is the jewelry-​makers dream. There are rows and rows of strung beads, ranging in price and with plenty of variations in style and color. In the center of this little store, there were a few tables set up with a bead instructor teaching students how to make bracelets. The teacher was really friendly and the group’s laughter filled the shop, creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere in which to browse for supplies.
The prices range from $ 3.99 up to around $ 15 for a string of beads, depending on the type of stone. They also have pewter clasps and plenty of string and ribbon to provide the structure for any piece of jewelry. Set back off of Bandera, you might miss this store if you weren’t looking for it. It is located just to the side of Hancock Fabric and Hobby Lobby. I haven’t cultivated many jewelry-​making skills, but if you are talented in this area, Beading 2 Go is a cozy, welcoming shop with all you could ask for.