News Summary
Morgan Harris, owner of Chaise Beauty Lounge, voiced her regret after a negative encounter with the management of Crumbl Cookies in Tuscaloosa. After donating gift cards to celebrate the store’s opening, Harris received hostile communications from the store’s owner, who accused her of leveraging their business. Following a TikTok video documenting the incident, Crumbl’s corporate team assured her that no legal action would be taken. Harris expressed hope that the situation would foster better communication among local businesses.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Morgan Harris, the owner of Chaise Beauty Lounge, has publicly expressed regret over her decision to support the newly opened Crumbl Cookies location after a troubling interaction with what she claims to be management. Harris recently dropped off 100 gift cards worth $1,000 at the Crumbl store in celebration of its grand opening, hoping to foster goodwill between local businesses.
Harris stated that she confirmed with an employee at the Crumbl location that it was acceptable to leave the gift cards on the premises. However, soon after her drop-off, she received a phone call from a woman who identified herself as the owner of the Tuscaloosa Crumbl store. During this conversation, the woman allegedly berated Harris, accusing her of trying to leverage Crumbl’s business for profit. The caller reportedly threatened to take legal action against Harris should she ever engage with Crumbl again.
In a follow-up call shortly after, the woman allegedly reiterated the threat of legal action, stating that she had consulted other store employees before contacting Harris. The dispute escalated to the point where Harris chose to document the situation via a TikTok video, seeking both support and legal advice from her audience. In her video, Harris clarified that her intention was to create a collaborative relationship among local businesses, not to interfere with Crumbl’s customer base.
After the controversy, Harris recorded another video announcing that Crumbl’s corporate team had reached out to her. They reassured her that no legal measures would be pursued against her and offered support for her small business. In light of this communication, Harris expressed gratitude toward Crumbl for their prompt response and thanked her community for their solidarity throughout the experience.
Harris emphasized that the incident might have stemmed from a misunderstanding and hoped it would serve as an educational moment for businesses on the significance of respectful communication. Meanwhile, Vanessa Arias, who identified herself as one of the owners of the new Crumbl location, mentioned that their goal was to bring the Crumbl experience to Alabama and foster community interactions.
In an unexpected twist, Harris received messages from a TikTok account linked to the woman who initially contacted her, denying the aggressive nature of the calls. Although Harris felt frustrated with this contradiction, she decided not to encourage negative feedback towards Crumbl, attributing the incident to “one person badly representing them.”
The situation caught significant attention on social media, especially within Harris’s TikTok comments, where a range of responses from viewers focused on legal advice and expressions of support for Harris. While many commenters expressed dissatisfaction with how Harris had been treated, others were more understanding about the dynamics of new business establishment.
Crumbl Cookies is a rapidly expanding company founded in 2017 by Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, boasting over 1,000 locations across the United States, including 18 in Alabama alone. Their mission involves delivering a unique cookie experience and fostering community links.
As an experienced entrepreneur, Harris has operated Chaise Beauty Lounge for approximately three and a half years and has been part of the eyelash business for eight years. The local community’s response to her tribulations emphasizes the importance of supporting each other, particularly among small businesses facing challenges during interactions with larger corporate entities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AL.com: Alabama Salon Owner Threatened by Cookie Chain
- Wikipedia: Crumbl Cookies
- Tuscaloosa Thread: Northport Woman Robs Salon
- Google Search: Crumbl Cookies
- Patch: New Nail Salon Opens in Northport
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tuscaloosa
- The Mary Sue: Crumbl Cookies Controversy
- Google News: Tuscaloosa Business News
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
