All photos courtesy of Andrew Moore
Here at The Container Store, we love hearing from our customers, especially when it's great feedback about our storage solutions or customer service. But the letter below made us feel especially warm all over (not to mention proud of our employees!). This is why we do what we do.
To Whom This May Concern:
I'd like to share a bit about myself and my connection with The Container Store. I am sure most people, like myself, do not normally write reviews. After my experience at this store, I felt compelled to share my story.
My name is Andrew Moore. I have been deaf since birth and I am an L.A. native. When COVID-19 hit, like most of us, I worked from home. My work desk was in my bedroom. Sitting all day at work was exhausting and uncomfortable, so I got a desk riser to resolve that. The standing approach was a game-changer, and I felt more productive and energetic.
But circumstances changed and I had to downsize, so recently I moved into a new home in Beverly Grove. I decided that I did not want to see my working desk in my bedroom, so I came up with this ingenious idea to design and install a standing desk in my closet, which already had Elfa shelves installed. Being the creative person I am, I wanted to maximize the usage of space in my closet in order to have a closet, office/workspace, storage, and personal items to put on shelves--all in the same space. This was quite an undertaking and I was up for the challenge! I needed to add more shelves in order to maximize the usable space, and luckily The Container Store's Farmers Market location was only a mile away from me!
It was my first time at the store. I met an employee named Charmaine, with whom I felt connected right away. (I was impressed that she knew some basic American Sign Language signs and we were able to communicate with each other.) Charmaine and I worked together coming up with a design for my brand new closet. We must've spent close to two hours going over the design, and I was impressed with the computer and technology that we used to make it happen.
The following day, I returned to the store with a list of items to add and additional closet measurements. This time I worked with Kim. I was surprised that Kim ALSO knew basic ASL, and she was such a big help too! Then, when I was checking out at the register, also I was introduced to an employee named Danny, and HE happened to know some ASL signs too! We conversed a bit, and I was appreciative for how Danny went out of his way to help load everything into my car. (Also, a special shoutout to Emerson for greeting me with a smile EVERY single time I returned to the store and directing me to Charmaine or Kim! )
I had to make a few more trips to the store, and when I went back the final time, it felt bittersweet. We had spent so much time designing this space. I showed the final design to Charmaine and Kim, and they were so pleased with the final outcome.
[Above: To maximize Andrew's desk space while still functioning as a closet, the left side of the Elfa solution features closet rods, shelves for folded clothing, and White Plastic Storage Bins.]
[Above: The area under Andrew's desk sports drawers for office supplies and other assorted items, shoe storage shelves, and even floor space for his printer.]
[Above: The right side of Andrew's "cloffice" has plenty of room for books and other assorted mementos.]
I was impressed that not one, not two, but THREE employees knew basic ASL signs. As a deaf person, this meant the world to me. The COVID-19 pandemic has not been an easy ordeal especially for deaf people who rely heavily on facial expressions and lipreading, so the fact that they were able to communicate with me via signing and writing was truly appreciated. I admire their awareness in communicating with a deaf person. This is out of the ordinary. (I also noticed instructions in the store on how to work with blind customers. This made me appreciate the store's consideration of working with customers with disabilities.)
Each and every employee has made my overall shopping experience enjoyable, stress-free, and connected. I once never felt pressured or judged. I truly felt valued as a customer and my expectations have been surpassed.
Even though it was a little more than I'd anticipated spending, I knew without a doubt that this was the best investment I've made. I needed this setup and organized space in order to succeed in my career as a Deaf Interpreter and run my business., and I am wholeheartedly pleased with the design!
Thank you to Charmaine, Kim, Danny, and Emerson at The Container Store! Each and every one of them has demonstrated exuberant energy, abundant patience, and absolute professionalism. All of them should be given credit and recognition for their performance and hard work!
¿(I-LOVE-YOU sign) The Container Store! All of you made a difference in my life!
Best,
Andrew Moore
