Zanna

Finding a women’s apparel shop while visiting Williamstown is next to impossible. Zanna is one of two such stores in the small, beautiful college town and tourist area.
The store stocks a lovely selection of clothing, but my biggest complaint is the service by the sales staff.
Since I visit the area frequently, I have been in this store many times over the years, and have had the same experience repeatedly. There are always at least two sales women in the store. When I walk in, they always turn their backs, and avert eye contact when I try to get their attention to engage them.
It’s very strange. The last time I was there, I walked in, tried on coats in different parts of the store, walked up to the jewelry counter, tried on necklaces in the mirror. I had a close encounter with a saleswoman who faced me, grabbing a jewelry piece for the one client that the two sales people were doting over. I raised my hand and opened my mouth to ask for help, but «whoosh» she turned around and left.
I understand if people are too busy to wait on a new customer, but that was not the case here. The two sales women hung behind the counter as their one engaged customer was in the changing room.
In several visits over the years to this store, this is the tack that they take. There is one customer who is fawned over, and the others ignored. It is a puzzling way to do business.
My friend laughed when I told him the story, and said it was like a scene from the movie «Pretty Woman». Indeed I felt some resonance with Julia Robert’s predicament at being dismissed by the snooty sales women on Rodeo drive. The difference, however: not only am I NOT a call girl– I presented there clean, neat, and appropriately dressed.
It is too bad that the environment at the Zanna Boutique is so exclusive and off-​putting. Eye contact, a greeting or an offer to help could make this a fun place to shop. It would also help the stores sales numbers, I am sure.