Blog
A Thirty Hour Workweek | Taking Care of People
Posted by James Helms on
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.
- Tags: community cause, family, Inflation, Living wage, Local Economy, People Place Coffee, Philosophy, Portland small business, Workweek
A Living Wage | Taking Care of People
Posted by James Helms on
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.
- Tags: family, Inflation, Living wage, Local Economy, People Place Coffee, Portland small business, Product pricing, Rocky Butte Coffee, Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters
Plant Start Sale | An Emerging Ecology in the Neighborhood
Posted by James Helms on
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.
- Tags: community cause, Community Happenings, Farm, Food, Garden, Live Music, Local Economy
Inflation | What Are We Seeing and Doing About It?
Posted by James Helms on
(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...
- Tags: Inflation, Local Economy, Portland small business, Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters, Specialty Coffee
Farmers Market Now Weekly | Search Underway for Market Manager
Posted by James Helms on
The Rocky Butte Farmers Market at the base of Rocky Butte in Portland, OR will be opening as a weekly market June of 2022. The first year, pre-pandemic, the market held two separate pop-up markets while being hosted by the Dharma Rain Zen Center. Year two the leadership team continued to grow and expand the market to a monthly basis. The host site the last two years has been the parking lot of Mannahouse Churches Rocky Butte campus. The site has a large parking lot that can accommodate significant vehicle parking. A successful weekly market greatly expands healthy and farm-direct food...