If you havent noticed, these stores are popping up everywhere, and they are attracting all sorts of crowds. They put on this faux "indie/hipster" disguise, and people acutally think that they are doing something right by supporting these stores.
Starbucks just started selling fair trade coffee a little while ago, whereas local coffee shops have been doing this for years. Yes I think it's great that they offer fair trade now, but starbucks is still putting coffee shops out of business left and right. Many people get their coffee from starbucks because of it's accessability and the name itself. This commodity comes at a price. Local coffee shops usually sell a cup of coffee between $1.00 and $1.25, whereas a cup of starbucks coffee is nearly 2 bucks. Starbucks also continues to serve milk from cows that are injected with genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone. I think they started dealing in fair trade just to cover themselves.
Panera is another example of a business that has the hip coffee/lunch feel. They charge almost 7 bucks for a sandwhich, and they have only one vegetarian option. There are many local coffee and sandwhich shops that offer sandwhiches for a lot less than $7, and have a few different vegetarian options. Again, many hipsters go to panera and think that they are doing the world a favor. Wrong
Borders has that intellectual/coffee shop/bookstore vibe. People go and read, and I mean you have to buy a cup of coffee while you're at it!!! Borders charges List price on their books, and has been at least partially responsible for shutting down countless mom and pop bookstores around the country. Many used bookstores who sell their books for about $1 cannot keep up with borders. People just don't want used books anymore, they want a brand new fresh book to go along with their coffee.
It bothers me personally that so many people subscribe to this culture. Maybe places like starbucks are trying to do something noble by selling fair trade coffee, or maybe they are just trying to keep their image intact. Either way, local businesses are dropping like flies. I think that it is important to support these business, since many of them are people who are innocently trying to provide services that people want.
Please try to shop locally and support fair trade.
3 comments:
yeah but it's still okay to shop at wal-mart...right?
Wal-Mart is a god-send!
I've always kind of laughed about this stuff with a friend of mine, because all the 'fair-trade' and hipster-friendly propaganda these stores put up doesn't atone for the fact that they are horrible corporations with horrible capitalist policies that honestly don't care about the consequences of their actions, as long as they turn a profit. Which is apparent in the ridiculously high prices.
I've been to several local coffee shops here in Austin that proudly distribute fair-trade coffee, and at a very reasonable price ($1, like you mentioned), and they do just fine as a business. Why can't - or rather, why aren't - other places following the example?
And it's depressing how popular these new places become, especially with all the kids who actually think they're doing something to change the world.
It's sad that as long as you smile you can do whatever you want.
Corporations and franchise chains are an insidious disease on the world. But so many people seem to like them.
There's a great sense of irony that a corporation sells a Fair Trade option, since one of the major reasons for third world poverty is the economic imbalance created by corporate capitalism. We who have the means in the Western world who recognise this have a responsibility to use our money wisely, supporting cooperatives, small businesses, and buying Fair Trade.
Great post.
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