Marylou's Cleared of Discrimination Charges

It’s been a week full of reward and relief for Marylou Sandry.

The owner of Marylou’s Coffee was the recipient of the South Shore Women’s Business Network’s Business Achievement Award Thursday in Hingham. Also today, she announced that her business was cleared of all discrimination charges.

Earlier this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated whether Marylou's was discriminating in its hiring practices. Thursday, Sandry announced to the South Shore Women’s Business Network that the charges have been cleared.

“There’s no way to explain what the last year has been like for us-it was terrible,” Sandry said. “We felt like we were being beat up.”

Sandry said she was upset that the media put a bad spin on the EEOC investigation and explained that she only hires qualified employees who have a great personality.

“We make it fun everyday. ...  If you don’t smile, if you don’t have a good personality, you don’t get hired at Marylou’s," Sandry said. “Unfortunately somehow I got in trouble for that.”

Sandry spoke in front of the SSWBN at Linden Ponds on Thursday morning.  She was one of two business professionals awarded for helping other women find success. The other recipient was Toni Eaton, the CEO of Old Colony Hospice.

Since opening her very first coffee shop in 1986 in Hanover as a gift to herself for her 40th birthday, Sandry now owns more than 30 shops across Massachusetts and Rhode Island and has more than 500 women on her payroll.

Sandry told those in attendance that she was honored to receive the achievement award and said her success has come from the passion of her employees. With her on Thursday, was a group of loyal employees that have stuck with her for over 20 years.

“You’re only as good as the people you have around you,” Sandry said. “What makes us special is we really enjoy what we do.”

Tell US: Do you agree with Marylou's hiring practices?