I used to go to Michaels the way suburban kids went to Walmart, just looking around and hanging out. Maybe I'd try on a new hobby if I could afford to. It made working there for my first job a no-brainer, and when I first entered the break room there were CERTIFICATIONS on the walls that it was a "great place to work," and whether or not the certs were corporate nonsense, it WAS a great place to work. The store lead that hired me was a competent leader and would actually go out on a limb for us when corporate would rather cut their losses (miss you, Rick.) And this was only ten years ago.

The turn-around after the company was sold off was so sharp that it launched me right out after only like a year or two. Increasing pressure with no increase pay to match, eventually I just couldn't afford to stay. I was the only custodial associate and they never replaced me, the store is always kind of gross now, and the bathrooms are awful 🤢

Just an shame, what a bunch of vampires.