We have done the same with local stores that have closing times of 8 or 9, but you get there at 7:59, and they hang up the sign and lock the door. If I were manager, they’d be fired. A closing time is a guide for a business wanting to do business. If there is a customer, then my store would not be closed until there were no more customers. The employees would, of course, be paid for that extra time.
We stopped going to a local ice cream establishment with a drive up window. How hard is it at a drive through to fill another cone or 2?
Your comparison of a checker going on break and a store closing on time is apples and oranges.
If you know the store closes at 8 and you show up to shop at 7:59 (by your watch, maybe not theirs) then you are an ass.
Chain or grocery stores don’t always have that option. Department managers are given a strict number of hours to spread among their employees. Overtime at time and a half is to be avoided. One place I worked as a teen required us to have all equipment cleaned and the floor scrubbed by closing time where you punched out exactly on the hour. One person coming in at 7:59 when you close at 8 means you have to re-mop the floors and have to work later unpaid. You can run your business however you wish, but not every business has the option of flexible closing times.
Had some stuff to big for my washer to handle. Went to local laundromat, lady met me at the door and pointed to a sign saying no customers after 7:30, I said it is 7:30 on the nose. She said no can do. I said I will never be back and left. They were open till 9:00 and I only needed to wash a couple of comforters. So I went to the other one and got them done, no problem.
I do not know these people, they only recently bought it from the previous owner. I had dealt with the previous owner on and off for years with no problem. I doubt they will be in business very long with their attitude. And they shouldn’t be.