On a self-reliant, resilient and
regenerative local economy. 1
These recent Strong Towns posts take a thoughtful look at the rapid growth of craft beer businesses in large and small communities across North America, asking what can other local businesses learn from their success.
The author identifies how the consolidation of bigger and fewer corporate brewers left an unmet demand for a local craft industry, one that could interact directly with consumers with unique local offerings. Perhaps we can see other similar unmet demands once we start to look for them…
I did a rough survey of my Old City neighbourhood, listing the food and drink related businesses within very close proximity to each other. The majority, I found to be within a single block (Wesley to Selby, Fitzwilliam to Franklyn).
Here's what I found : Twitter thread : My small neighbourhood — Nanaimo's Old City Quarter — currently has ...
On a self-reliant, resilient and regenerative local economy: 2 : Cities and the Wealth of Nations, Jane Jacobs
The consolidation of breweries led to products that were bland and uninteresting. The profit motive meant that everyone got exactly the same generic product. The advertising was all about how unique the product was supposed to be, when it was indistinguishable - and nothing very special at all. When I came to North America first in the mid-eighties I was deeply depressed by the lack of choice. Chilled lager, and nothing else, everywhere. The change in the last twenty years has been wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK the Campaign for Real Ale was a revolt against the fizzy pop being sold everywhere that was nothing like the beer people liked - and wanted.
I think something of the same is also happening with bread. A lot of people are prepared to spend much more for fresh "artisanal" bread than the sliced, wrapped pablum - and like to buy all kinds of different breads.
Just like the home brew movement, a lot of people are baking their own bread too. Just not everyone has enough time or energy to do it themselves everyday. And some craft beers and artisanal breads are hard to replicate - though lord knows we try!