Friday, April 08, 2005

Locating locally-owned coffee shops

I found this site Delocator that helps you find independently-owned coffee shops. Here is what they have to say:

"Delocate is a web-verb created for this project as a defense mechanism for independent business establishments. The term is defined as an action that creates complex competition analysis. This is achieved by locating both the targeted corporation store(s), Starbucks in this case, and the independently owned alternative(s) based on their physical proximity using comparative online retail store locator technology. On the delocator.net web site, users are enlisted into a temporary coalition to post information about cafés in their neighborhood (for instance, location, hours, open mic. nights, local artist exhibits, book readings, wireless internet service availability, organic and/or vegetarian food options, etc.).

Those who supply the database also have the opportunity to leave their email addresses, as a method of endorsing the café and leaving a trace of authenticity to the location postings on the site. On the results page for each search, listings of both independently owned cafés and Starbucks retail stores are presented. By comparison of numeric quantity and site-specific detail, the viewer/searcher will see evidence of the unchecked aggression and power that corporate businesses have in our communities."


Hm. Unchecked aggression? Power? I know the personal is political but is it a freaking cup of coffee or not a freaking cup of coffee? Being a proudly raving liberal myself, I often have to take a deep breath and check my conspiracy-theorist tendencies. I think we often take on a victim mentality and lash out in frustration at successful organizations.

Maybe Starbucks is evil. Maybe not. All I know is that I really don't like their coffee very much and appreciate a way to find alternatives.

I added my 3 favorite locally-owned places to the list. I admit, though, I have a deep and abiding addiction to Peet's, ever since they moved into town about 6 months ago. Are they on the dark side too, being a chain? I sure hope not.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Most local places don't offer their employees health insurance. The Bucks does. Some locally owned are great, some are dumps.