Only On The Walters Post
These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.
You know I’ve had coffee in many places over the years, truck stops, fishing/hunting camps, along with old general stores with a pot sitting on a hot plate by the till. Places where folks sat, talked, and shared a laugh or a worry. That was the kind of coffee shop I knew and grew up with. And I should mention that I didn’t go there just for the coffee either, well I did, as they sure made it mighty tasty back then, some even added a touch of Chicory. But I also went for the company, the steady routine, and maybe a doughnut that didn’t look like it was made in a hurry by a machine, or leave a taste in your mouth for hours after eating it.
But I’ve been watching what’s happened to our small Ma and Pa coffee shops, and I don’t like the turn it’s taken. We used to have local spots that stayed open for years, even decades. Then along came the big chains. At first, they seemed alright. Canadian Branding, warm colours, friendly ads. But here is the thing, over time they started replacing the little shops one by one quietly. They Just moved in, and the others couldn’t compete. Lower prices and faster service did the trick.
Another thing I noticed is that coffee today doesn’t taste the same. Oh, my wife and I, we’ve bought bags at the grocery stores, probably more than we should have, but what I found was that you never know what you’re going to get. One bag tastes alright and the next is flat, bitter or just plain dull. Makes me think they are not picking for quality anymore, just for what is cheapest that week. It does not matter if it is from halfway across the world, or grown under poor conditions. As long as it is cheap… it’s in the bag.
Then there is the seating. Years ago, you could sit down with a buddy and take your time, but now they are tearing out the chairs and downsizing the space, telling folks it’s all about efficiency. The truth is, they do not want you hanging around. Less space, means fewer people to clean and less staff to pay and a quicker turnover. Get your drink and get out. That is the new model, and it does not matter if it kills the spirit of the place.
Another thing is, the donuts are smaller than they used to be, no question. Same price less product. It’s what they call… shrinkflation and another quiet trick they do not talk about.
I am also starting to wonder what is in all this stuff. With everything we are learning about PFAS, those forever chemicals showing up in cups lids and wrappers, who is to say we are not getting a dose with every hot drink or baked good? Nobody is out here testing that cup you are handed, and when a company is more focused on saving money than serving people, health usually takes a back seat.
Here is the last bit that makes me think, and in not a good way. One of the largest coffee shops in Canada isn’t even truly Canadian anymore. The branding still plays that tune, sure. Maple leaves on the cups, smiling faces in the ads. But most of the ownership now sits outside the country. Decisions are not being made for Canadians, or by them. They are being made in boardrooms somewhere else by folks who have likely never stepped into a small-town coffee shop in their life. The money leaves the country… just as fast as it comes in.
Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open and Your Stories Alive. GW