I am a small business consultant and I will give my two cents. The behavior you are describing is actually criminal. False reporting and blocking people’s way, trespassing etc. I understand you are a kind person. However, getting a restraining order and enforcing it is necessary. There appears to be an escalation as well. I will happily order goods to support you. Now do something for me. Please file a complaint with the ACLU. Your civil rights are likely being violated.
We very much welcomed Q bakery to our neighborhood. Rachail skirted city inspections and as a result we are getting toxic fumes that are causing health issues. Really bad, sore throats, runny noses, burning eyes, headaches…all we ask is that they ventilate. Is that too much to ask?
My lawyer wrote her a letter a couple of months ago addressing these issues to no avail. I can send you a copy of the letter. I have good sources too. Maybe we could put our heads together and solve this problem.
I am a small business owner who has been through something similar, while not exactly the same. Continue to document everything. Provide pictures and videos when applicable. If you don’t already have both an indoor and outdoor security system, install one. I may actually have one from our previous business location that you’re more than welcome to if I can track it down. Now that you’ve sent a cease and desist, don’t engage…at all and ask your employees to do the same. Any engagement at all adds fuel to the fire. Ensure any communication between you and the salon is in writing. If verbal communication is occurring, make them aware you will be recording it for legal purposes to protect you both. If they decline, end the conversation and ask them to leave your premises. The more visual and audio documentation you have, the more substantiated your claims. Because of the amount of communication and the frequency of the communication from the salon, it is treading a very fine line of the legal definition of harassment. Very fine line. I think it’s important to know: is the salon a low-tox environment and are they using low-tox materials that reflect that? Are their hairsprays labeled as “low VOC formulas?”
Are they using pump spray products rather than aerosols (to reduce inhalation risk)?
Are their hair straighteners free of formaldehyde or methylene glycol? The alleged risk of scents coming from your business should not be examined without also looking at the toxicity of scents in their own environment. The alleged cause of scents cannot be determined with only looking at one environment. I think it’s very wise you chose not to name the facility and allowed them to do that on their own. Now, the ownership of identification is attributed to their own actions. As a fellow female business owner and a friend of one of your customers, I would love to talk with you and see if I can help in any way.
They only cook with the chili pepper when your salon is closed. I work next door to a salon and I can tell you the smells DAILY prevent us from being in our back room at times but we have never once complained because we are good neighbors. Your boss is unlikely to shop harrassing Q even if they have the most incredible insane ventilation system that ever existed.
As an environmental quality professional, I just wanted to note that day to day salon business would absolutely create noticeable dips in indoor air quality, especially the fumes from dyes/perms/aerosols and the use of blow dryers and other hot tools. Wishing the best for your business and Ann Arbor is behind you!
We are vented properly, all we ask is that they do. We are getting sick and our clients as well. I can not believe the support for someone who is vagrantly breaking the law. Violating permits, cooking up stuff unauthorized without ventilation. It’s not her fault, the city should have made better measures. But don’t think for one minute that we are out of line. Jumping to conclusions and giving us a bad name is irresponsible and mean.
My comment didn’t speak to you or your clients experiences. It was specifically about indoor air quality science. Do you know the composition of your air pollution? Did you even take a baseline? It is you who are jumping to conclusions saying that a general air quality monitor is proving anything for your case.
This business has gone above and beyond to meet your requests. They are working to meet the city’s requirements. I don’t even know why you are complaining here. It is YOUR business that has gone about this situation with absolutely no class.
I am not aware of any stalking behavior, maybe documentation. We are getting sick! Hours upon hours of breathing hot chilis is not healthy. Believe me it’s horrible. I love spicy food but breathing it in for hours is sickening. Just vent the place.
What a f——g nightmare! I have been to your bakery, and it is awesome. It is hard for me not to be angry with the “neighbor,” but I will follow your example, and be gracious.
Also, is there any way to contribute money to your ongoing efforts?
Hello Ellen, I am an employee at the salon next to Q.
I have gone home with horrible sore throats, running nose etc…the problem is that they opened without proper permits. They are cooking delicious things but the problem is that it is not ventilated properly for what they are cooking. This would not be a problem if she put in the proper ventilation.
They skirted permits through the city and now complaining that we are hounding her. I have had clients leave before their finish because they couldn’t stand the smell. Have you ever left a salon smelling of hot pepper dip? We only ask for proper ventilation. We are not the bad guys!
They are working with the city to get everything up to code, and you’re still here whining that people are supporting them? Meanwhile you have legitimately threatened the livelihood of this beloved community business and claim you want the best for them? You have some nerve. Perhaps take a break from spam responding to all of these supportive comments on a post that didn't even mention your business by name, and touch some grass. Thoughts and prayers!
Denise, your angry response was hurtful. Through this whole controversy all I want is to resolve this.. I like Rachel and love her products. She just needs to vent properly. The city was wrong on their decisions and she’s hurting because of it but so are we.
Hi Ted, I’m not sure what you meant. I am trying to get things done amicably. I don’t think I posted anything derogatory or mean. I want to resolve this in a nice way. If the proper ventilation was installed at the start this would not be a problem. The city should have been more informed about what they were doing.
Th Q Bakehouse post intentionally left your businesses name out of it due to the possible community backlash that would come from it. You have negated that courtesy. It also doesn’t seem like you or possibly Phil have wanted to resolve this in a nice way the last few months based on the Q Bakehouse post and detailing of events.
This was so upsetting and unsettling to read. I’m so sorry you’ve lost business, been thru all the stress and are being stalked at your business. Karma always comes around. You’re doing all the right things. Sending my well wishes that you open soon and your business grows ten fold. You have my support always. I know you’re trying to be the bigger person but just wanted to say that from an unbiased third party, Neighbor sounds like an absolute racist.
Sorry to hear this is happening, sadly not surprised, given your last point that we’ve all been thinking. Otherwise I really enjoyed the key lime roll and coconut cookie 🍪 I spoiled myself with this past week. Keep fighting the good fight! “When they go low, we go high” M.Obama
What should he do research on? What is and is not racially motivated harassment? Perhaps you have some research you would like to share. Maybe some study from the DoJ? Or the Southern Poverty Law Center?
Are you serious? Playing the racial card? We are so non racist. Because Rachel did not get the proper permits and the fumes of what she is cooking is making us and our clients sick is absurd. All she needs to do is ventilate properly. It’s the city that needs to address this.
I’ll have to tell my multi cultural family and friends about this.
I just want to say I'm sorry you've been going through all this. I remember getting your cinnamon rolls to celebrate my birthday during the pandemic and how much joy they brought during a really bleak time. I hope you'll be able to reopen soon. In the meantime, I'll be happy to preorder, even though I'm on the other side of town!
"I just read the link someone else provided here, and it really sounds like the person complaining is suffering from chemical sensitivity issues related to the chemicals she uses in her job.
I had to stop dying my hair because I was having similar reactions to what she is experiencing every time I dyed my hair."
I will address the closure statement. I am an employee at the salon next to Q Bakery. As I have been informed the bakery was only to provide baked goods. The hot pepper chili sauce is delicious but hours of breathing it in is nauseating, we have reached out many times to just properly ventilate to no regard.
We were happy and excited to have our new neighbors but they have not complied to the ventilation rules. I have gone from work with a sore throat, runny nose, headache and nausea.
My lawyer wrote them about this months ago, again, no regard.
Clients have been complaining, I’ve had clients leave before their was styled because of the smell and headaches the occurred.
We are not the bad guys, we have been in this neighborhood for ten years+
It’s funny that they “q brought over an air filter. It doesn’t do anything but shows us when the air quality goes down to zero. I can feel it in my throat and look over and yes again it’s going in the red. The pepper stuff they are making is equivalent to pepper spray, mace.
We are not bad neighbors, just want to make proper ventilation. This is making us sick.
Jennifer, if this were actually true, Rachel’s employees would all be suffering tenfold. You wouldn’t be complaining if you smelled chocolate all day long, let’s just call a spade a spade, you are offended by Asian food because you lack sophistication in your taste, and acceptance for other cultures in your heart.
Hi Jennifer, the only letter I’ve received is the one that I have included in this newsletter that was handed to me. If your lawyer did indeed send a letter, I did not receive it. Was it via email and/or certified mail? I have checked my spam folders as well. Know that I did not ignore it.
I am a small business consultant and I will give my two cents. The behavior you are describing is actually criminal. False reporting and blocking people’s way, trespassing etc. I understand you are a kind person. However, getting a restraining order and enforcing it is necessary. There appears to be an escalation as well. I will happily order goods to support you. Now do something for me. Please file a complaint with the ACLU. Your civil rights are likely being violated.
You are misinformed. You should do some research before giving an opinion .
I noticed you did not correct me. Please elaborate on how I am misinformed. Given I work regularly with the ACLU I have a good source.
We very much welcomed Q bakery to our neighborhood. Rachail skirted city inspections and as a result we are getting toxic fumes that are causing health issues. Really bad, sore throats, runny noses, burning eyes, headaches…all we ask is that they ventilate. Is that too much to ask?
My lawyer wrote her a letter a couple of months ago addressing these issues to no avail. I can send you a copy of the letter. I have good sources too. Maybe we could put our heads together and solve this problem.
Jennifer, she posted the letter. Read the article before you continue to incriminate yourself.
That’s not the letter I was referring to.
Incriminate myself? I just said that a letter was sent about health issues a couple of months ago
I am a small business owner who has been through something similar, while not exactly the same. Continue to document everything. Provide pictures and videos when applicable. If you don’t already have both an indoor and outdoor security system, install one. I may actually have one from our previous business location that you’re more than welcome to if I can track it down. Now that you’ve sent a cease and desist, don’t engage…at all and ask your employees to do the same. Any engagement at all adds fuel to the fire. Ensure any communication between you and the salon is in writing. If verbal communication is occurring, make them aware you will be recording it for legal purposes to protect you both. If they decline, end the conversation and ask them to leave your premises. The more visual and audio documentation you have, the more substantiated your claims. Because of the amount of communication and the frequency of the communication from the salon, it is treading a very fine line of the legal definition of harassment. Very fine line. I think it’s important to know: is the salon a low-tox environment and are they using low-tox materials that reflect that? Are their hairsprays labeled as “low VOC formulas?”
Are they using pump spray products rather than aerosols (to reduce inhalation risk)?
Are their hair straighteners free of formaldehyde or methylene glycol? The alleged risk of scents coming from your business should not be examined without also looking at the toxicity of scents in their own environment. The alleged cause of scents cannot be determined with only looking at one environment. I think it’s very wise you chose not to name the facility and allowed them to do that on their own. Now, the ownership of identification is attributed to their own actions. As a fellow female business owner and a friend of one of your customers, I would love to talk with you and see if I can help in any way.
Would love to chat! I sent you a message to reach out to me via email.
They only cook with the chili pepper when your salon is closed. I work next door to a salon and I can tell you the smells DAILY prevent us from being in our back room at times but we have never once complained because we are good neighbors. Your boss is unlikely to shop harrassing Q even if they have the most incredible insane ventilation system that ever existed.
We are behind you! We love your bakery and eagerly await the day you reopen the storefront.
As an environmental quality professional, I just wanted to note that day to day salon business would absolutely create noticeable dips in indoor air quality, especially the fumes from dyes/perms/aerosols and the use of blow dryers and other hot tools. Wishing the best for your business and Ann Arbor is behind you!
We are vented properly, all we ask is that they do. We are getting sick and our clients as well. I can not believe the support for someone who is vagrantly breaking the law. Violating permits, cooking up stuff unauthorized without ventilation. It’s not her fault, the city should have made better measures. But don’t think for one minute that we are out of line. Jumping to conclusions and giving us a bad name is irresponsible and mean.
My comment didn’t speak to you or your clients experiences. It was specifically about indoor air quality science. Do you know the composition of your air pollution? Did you even take a baseline? It is you who are jumping to conclusions saying that a general air quality monitor is proving anything for your case.
This business has gone above and beyond to meet your requests. They are working to meet the city’s requirements. I don’t even know why you are complaining here. It is YOUR business that has gone about this situation with absolutely no class.
💯
I've read all your comments so far, and none of what you described justifies the harassment and stalking behavior
I am not aware of any stalking behavior, maybe documentation. We are getting sick! Hours upon hours of breathing hot chilis is not healthy. Believe me it’s horrible. I love spicy food but breathing it in for hours is sickening. Just vent the place.
What does taking photos of an employee's license plate have to do with anything?
Jennifer please explain how you are breathing in hours and hours of hot chili when they are only cooking the chili when your salon is closed.
Did you reply to this newsletter without reading it?
Dear Rachel,
What a f——g nightmare! I have been to your bakery, and it is awesome. It is hard for me not to be angry with the “neighbor,” but I will follow your example, and be gracious.
Also, is there any way to contribute money to your ongoing efforts?
Wishing you only the best, Ellen
Hello Ellen, I am an employee at the salon next to Q.
I have gone home with horrible sore throats, running nose etc…the problem is that they opened without proper permits. They are cooking delicious things but the problem is that it is not ventilated properly for what they are cooking. This would not be a problem if she put in the proper ventilation.
They skirted permits through the city and now complaining that we are hounding her. I have had clients leave before their finish because they couldn’t stand the smell. Have you ever left a salon smelling of hot pepper dip? We only ask for proper ventilation. We are not the bad guys!
They are working with the city to get everything up to code, and you’re still here whining that people are supporting them? Meanwhile you have legitimately threatened the livelihood of this beloved community business and claim you want the best for them? You have some nerve. Perhaps take a break from spam responding to all of these supportive comments on a post that didn't even mention your business by name, and touch some grass. Thoughts and prayers!
Denise, your angry response was hurtful. Through this whole controversy all I want is to resolve this.. I like Rachel and love her products. She just needs to vent properly. The city was wrong on their decisions and she’s hurting because of it but so are we.
I hope we can all figure this out.
Sounds like you need somewhere to vent properly. May I suggest a good therapist?
This!!
Sounds a lot like Jennifer just needs to talk to a professional therapist.
It's interesting that none of the employees at Q are experiencing these side effects...
Way to out your business as “Neighbor”. This was not a good choice by you.
Hi Ted, I’m not sure what you meant. I am trying to get things done amicably. I don’t think I posted anything derogatory or mean. I want to resolve this in a nice way. If the proper ventilation was installed at the start this would not be a problem. The city should have been more informed about what they were doing.
Th Q Bakehouse post intentionally left your businesses name out of it due to the possible community backlash that would come from it. You have negated that courtesy. It also doesn’t seem like you or possibly Phil have wanted to resolve this in a nice way the last few months based on the Q Bakehouse post and detailing of events.
This was so upsetting and unsettling to read. I’m so sorry you’ve lost business, been thru all the stress and are being stalked at your business. Karma always comes around. You’re doing all the right things. Sending my well wishes that you open soon and your business grows ten fold. You have my support always. I know you’re trying to be the bigger person but just wanted to say that from an unbiased third party, Neighbor sounds like an absolute racist.
I am frustrated for you as I read about these ongoing complaints. I love Q and hope you win and can keep your wonderful business right where it is!
I do too, really! Just put in the proper ventilation.
Sounds like you make excellent food, and are a good neighbor. I hadn't heard of you before but will definitely be getting some food this week.
Sorry to hear this is happening, sadly not surprised, given your last point that we’ve all been thinking. Otherwise I really enjoyed the key lime roll and coconut cookie 🍪 I spoiled myself with this past week. Keep fighting the good fight! “When they go low, we go high” M.Obama
You should do some research before coming to a conclusion. I also like the the Michelle statement, very nice when it’s in context.
You are so misinformed.
What should he do research on? What is and is not racially motivated harassment? Perhaps you have some research you would like to share. Maybe some study from the DoJ? Or the Southern Poverty Law Center?
Are you serious? Playing the racial card? We are so non racist. Because Rachel did not get the proper permits and the fumes of what she is cooking is making us and our clients sick is absurd. All she needs to do is ventilate properly. It’s the city that needs to address this.
I’ll have to tell my multi cultural family and friends about this.
I don't think playing the "I have black friends" card helps your point
That’s just stupid. If you knew me you would know better.
"We're so non racist it's okay for us to do racist things because we have black friends" is not the flex you think it is
My family members are Asian.
I'm going to buy their chili crisp scones even harder.
I just want to say I'm sorry you've been going through all this. I remember getting your cinnamon rolls to celebrate my birthday during the pandemic and how much joy they brought during a really bleak time. I hope you'll be able to reopen soon. In the meantime, I'll be happy to preorder, even though I'm on the other side of town!
Copy-paste of new, interesting comment on reddit:
"I just read the link someone else provided here, and it really sounds like the person complaining is suffering from chemical sensitivity issues related to the chemicals she uses in her job.
I had to stop dying my hair because I was having similar reactions to what she is experiencing every time I dyed my hair."
Comment copied from:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnnArbor/s/FFbSybKRCh
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnnArbor/s/r4vuUHTHZx
I will address the closure statement. I am an employee at the salon next to Q Bakery. As I have been informed the bakery was only to provide baked goods. The hot pepper chili sauce is delicious but hours of breathing it in is nauseating, we have reached out many times to just properly ventilate to no regard.
We were happy and excited to have our new neighbors but they have not complied to the ventilation rules. I have gone from work with a sore throat, runny nose, headache and nausea.
My lawyer wrote them about this months ago, again, no regard.
Clients have been complaining, I’ve had clients leave before their was styled because of the smell and headaches the occurred.
We are not the bad guys, we have been in this neighborhood for ten years+
It’s funny that they “q brought over an air filter. It doesn’t do anything but shows us when the air quality goes down to zero. I can feel it in my throat and look over and yes again it’s going in the red. The pepper stuff they are making is equivalent to pepper spray, mace.
We are not bad neighbors, just want to make proper ventilation. This is making us sick.
Jennifer, if this were actually true, Rachel’s employees would all be suffering tenfold. You wouldn’t be complaining if you smelled chocolate all day long, let’s just call a spade a spade, you are offended by Asian food because you lack sophistication in your taste, and acceptance for other cultures in your heart.
If you knew me you would be ashamed of your comment.
“We are not the bad guys”
-people who are clearly the bad guys
Spell check is not my friend. Brooke, I don’t want to be a war. I just want to have a healthy work environment. It’s so simple, just vent.
At this point I realize you may not be aware of the things that Phil has been doing to Q and their employees.
My lawyer spells better than me
You would have been better off drafting a legal document through ChatGPT. That letter from your lawyer was hilarious.
That was not the letter I was referring to.
Hi Jennifer, the only letter I’ve received is the one that I have included in this newsletter that was handed to me. If your lawyer did indeed send a letter, I did not receive it. Was it via email and/or certified mail? I have checked my spam folders as well. Know that I did not ignore it.