Blog — Local Economy

We Set The Standard | Coffee & Community

Posted by James Helms on

We Set The Standard | Coffee & Community
The key to breaking the rules is not buying into the dominate narratives & practices that seem to dictate what life should be like, how we live our life together, how we treat customers, prospects and all other people and how we consume products and utilize services.

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A Thirty Hour Workweek | Taking Care of People

Posted by James Helms on

A Thirty Hour Workweek | Taking Care of People
The idea that technological advancement would somehow benefit the average worker did not consider human greed and the ever increasing edge of the adjacent possible. But technological advancement is in place to reshape how we work, further innovation around how a community invests in itself, how a community relieves the crushing burden of debt, how a community owns real property.

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A Living Wage | Taking Care of People

Posted by James Helms on

A Living Wage | Taking Care of People
Over the last two years of operating our fledgling espresso bar, we are beginning to have a good handle on what to expect in terms of sales growth, costs, and profitability. As we move through re-opening and when we begin to confidently say "post-pandemic" we still have a lot to learn about the new normal. The living wage goals are a significant contributor to the decision to raise prices over the next couple of months.

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Plant Start Sale | An Emerging Ecology in the Neighborhood

Posted by James Helms on

Plant Start Sale | An Emerging Ecology in the Neighborhood
The Beech Street Community Garden (it's really a farm nowadays) is selling plant starts and will use the funds to buy material to continue to maintain and expand the food that is grown...An emerging ecology is an exciting sign...We have an open license to become a helpful part of the neighborhood ecology.

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Inflation | What Are We Seeing and Doing About It?

Posted by James Helms on

Inflation | What Are We Seeing and Doing About It?

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons) From inception we have maintained a focus on value and we have not raised our whole bean prices...we've held the line of pricing as long as we can and want to discuss the realities of inflation, how we will continue to focus on value, reinforce our values and continue to grow our business in the years ahead. Numerous articles are being written about inflation, but what is it, how is it effecting our coffee company and how are we adapting through it?  Inflation, defined by "a general increase in prices and decrease in the purchasing value...

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