Residents Have Mixed Reactions to Farmhouse Store Doublewide Stroller Ban

The growing online controversy surrounding the Farmhouse Store's decision to ban double wide and triple wide strollers has stirred discussion throughout Westfield. The debate started last week when local resident April Erck challenged the store's posted policy regarding the stroller ban. In addition to a letter Erck sent to the Westfield Leader on Thursday, an online debate started on several Internet message boards frequented by parents of multiples, many of whom said they were friends of Erck. Farmhouse Store owner Ed Menapace reported online that he received threats, including at least one citing that he was gay, and said that he had notified police.

Westfield Patch went to the Memorial Pool on Sunday afternoon to see what residents were saying about the debate.

Question

What are your thoughts about the Farmhouse Store's policy banning double wide and triple wide strollers from entering the store?

Answers

"I would say it would be a pain for people who have them. Is there any chance that two kids on foot would not be more destructive? If it was me and my brother, my mom would be writing a check for the store." -Glenn Johnson

"I think, given Westfield as a town, they need to accommodate. It's a family-friendly town and it should be a family-friendly store. Now that they are downtown, they need to accommodate families, which is their bread and butter. If you break something you buy it." - Matthew Kennedy

"Since I have one, it makes sense if the store says that. I can't blame them for not wanting their things to be ruined. It is a little tough if you are with both kids. Then you won't go into the store." -Daniela Enright

"I think certain stores are designed to fit them. As much as we with kids might not like it, we have to accommodate it." -Lena Ryan

"I have twins. I think they should make changes so they can accommodate a variety of people to come into the store." - Bill Cabral

"As far as I'm concerned is if it's someone's store they can decide how it's run. They can put restrictions on it. The double wide strollers are too big. I always felt bad bringing them into stores because they are too wide." - Adam Margolis

"I think it's discrimination. They should make the aisles wide enough to accommodate everyone. We had a double-wide stroller for a while and it's hard to maneuver in some places. I feel that it's unfair. I remember a store when my kids were young and they did not want the kids to touch anything and I did not go back. It should be more family friendly. My kids were 20 months apart and I needed a double wide stroller." - Michelle Firestone

"I would think that would be reasonable if they have evidence of it causing injuries or problems. It sounds like a safety issue. It seems to me like a store should make a few restriction without hurting its customers." - John Devitt

"It's hard to venture a guess since I have not been in the store. Westfield is a good town, you can leave the stroller outside and it won't be taken. It's a tough call. A store has the right to decide what is right for the business. But it could hurt the store if moms with double strollers don't go there. It is their right to do it if they want to." - Mark Worms

"If they have to protect their merchandise that is one way to do it. They can have a place to park strollers outside." - Judy Shmurak

"I really like that store. I shop there a lot. I don't know the stroller policy. It's probably because there are a lot of breakable items. The guy who owns it is really nice. It's a private store, so they can do that." - Liz K. (no picture)

"It depends on the size of the store. If they are restricted with space it would be ok. The Farmhouse Store before they moved was quite tight." -Eva Rossi

"It's not very kid friendly especially in these tough economic times. You'd think they'd want people to come in." -Michelle Feldman

"Sounds reasonable. As long as you can park it outside." -Trish Pranke (No Picture)

"They are not selling French Fries and chicken wings. The store has fragile merchandise that can be destroyed by the strollers. I have kids and I'm sensitive of the family friendly nature of the town, but if a store needs to protect its merchandise it makes sense." -Dan Dunaief

"I don't think it's a problem per se. It's not a big deal in my mind. My sister has twins, she would probably have a problem with it." -Steve Burger

"He's in the middle of town with foot traffic. He should expect people with strollers." -Mary Harris (no picture)

"That's a reasonable policy. As long as they make it clear to the folks with a sign." -John Gimblette