An App Threatens To Make Bodegas Obsolete, And The Internet Is Not Happy
The love for mom-and-pop shops is a beautiful thing
Two former Google employees, Paul McDonald and Ashwath Rajan, want to make bodegas and mom-and-pop corner stores "obsolete," according to Fast Company, by replacing them with app-accessible "pantry boxes filled with non-perishable items," installed in apartments, offices, dorms, and gyms.
“Eventually, centralized shopping locations won’t be necessary," McDonlad said, "because there will be 100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100 feet away from you.”
The internet has since responded with a big old "nope."
"Stated business model: make local, immigrant-owned businesses obsolete," someone tweeted. "Audacity to name it 'Bodega.' Ew."
"'Look at all these minorities and families working hard to build something that we could just take if you fund us. - the Bodega VC pitch," another person wrote.
"My bodega owners are yemeni immigrants and the bodega not only affords them a life in new york but also allows them to send money back home," someone said.
While most people were concerned with the owners of the bodegas, a lot of people were also worried about the cats.
And people argued that a vending machine can't make an egg and cheese while filling you in on the neighborhood gossip.
Basically, if this were an episode of Shark Tank, everyone would be out.
