Convenience Stores Save the Planet?
June 12th, 2008[ General ]
Warning, there is no geek stuff in here…
I love my local convenience store. It’s a short walk from home and I can get most things I need in a pinch, including a decent dvd. Having that allows me to walk over at 9pm, grab milk, bagels, chips, and a movie. It’s run by Bea who would often say “if you can’t find something, let me know and I’ll make sure it’s here for you next time”. Up until recently I knew all the staff by name.
My lovely little store was recently sold. One of the staff told me yesterday that all staff are being let go so who really knows what the future holds for our store. What’s my point? I think we all deserve a well run convenience store within walking distance from our homes. When I think back over the years to all the times I would have had to climb into my car and drive, instead of walk, to a store further away, it blows my mind. Yes, I’m suggesting that convenience stores are an environmental issue!
Here’s my pitch. Someone, since I’m out of time, needs to start up a franchise network for convenience stores based on Great Harvest’s model. That being a solid supporting network of owners with heavily customized, local franchises. The goal being quality, walkable convenience stores that are shaped, influenced, and ‘owned’ by the communities they support and serve. Traditional cookie-cutter 7-11 franchises won’t work for this.
Oh boy, apparently my new platform is ‘convenient convenience stores for all’?