Out w the old Bodega and in w the new, sleek, hipster "Bodega"
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Startup Bodega’s glorified vending machines are sparking major Twitter backlash
This morning, we published a profile of a startup that created glorified vending machines that can be placed inside apartment buildings, dorms, and gyms.
The concept itself is fairly benign. The problem was that the founders decided to call it Bodega and use a cat–a nod to the bodega cat–as a logo.
To many readers, this immediately seemed like two Silicon Valley dudes had just appropriated a term beloved to many immigrants, while simultaneously creating a business designed to obliterate these neighborhood corner shops.
The ensuing Twitter rage was voluminous and palpable. “Bodega” has been trending on Twitter all day, mostly thanks to people vociferously defending bodegas.
Jack Dorsey himself says that he’s digging this new “bodega defense Twitter.”
There was much thoughtful commentary about why the startup’s name is so offensive. And then, some have done some in-depth analysis about Bodega’s business strategy. This entire chain, from Eater writer Helen Rosner, is worth a read.
A big source of concern was bodega cats. Where will our cuddly neighborhood felines live and nap without the bodega?
But maybe the bodega cats will actually save the bodega?
ES
This morning, we published a profile of a startup that created glorified vending machines that can be placed inside apartment buildings, dorms, and gyms.
The concept itself is fairly benign. The problem was that the founders decided to call it Bodega and use a cat–a nod to the bodega cat–as a logo.
To many readers, this immediately seemed like two Silicon Valley dudes had just appropriated a term beloved to many immigrants, while simultaneously creating a business designed to obliterate these neighborhood corner shops.
The ensuing Twitter rage was voluminous and palpable. “Bodega” has been trending on Twitter all day, mostly thanks to people vociferously defending bodegas.
Jack Dorsey himself says that he’s digging this new “bodega defense Twitter.”
There was much thoughtful commentary about why the startup’s name is so offensive. And then, some have done some in-depth analysis about Bodega’s business strategy. This entire chain, from Eater writer Helen Rosner, is worth a read.
A big source of concern was bodega cats. Where will our cuddly neighborhood felines live and nap without the bodega?
But maybe the bodega cats will actually save the bodega?
ES
Comments
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whats dis about mayne
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Thanks to twitter this is brought to my attention...? twitter
? twitter, ? snapchat, ? Instagram
We good Tumblr...and Facebook...u a lil crazy but least I know u crazy, you don't act like u ain't crazy then do some crazy ? .
So when u do crazy ? , I just go
Awwww Facebook, what am I gonna do wit u? -
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What the ? is a bodega cat. What the ? is a bodega a convenience store privately owned
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If they don't sell loose cigarettes or powder ? they won't have any chance of taking over the bodega market
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Bodega is the most east coast word i can think of.. we dont say that out here
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i dont believe you guys. how can you have seen the movie half baked and not know what a bodega is?
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We have mom and pop stores here.
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how u gonna get a chopped cheese from that
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SuperManuel wrote: »i dont believe you guys. how can you have seen the movie half baked and not know what a bodega is?
That's my favorite movie and all I got was NYers call corner stores Bodegas. -
Can you image the hero from that place? Yuck
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I've never had a chopped cheese
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blackgod813 wrote: »What the ? is a bodega cat. What the ? is a bodega a convenience store privately owned
It's basically any corner convenience store in NYC.
(edit) in Detroit we call 'em Party Stores. -
You think ? was stealing outta corner stores before lol....
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An what the ? is a chop chese sandwhich???a cuban sandwich
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Who asked for this?
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That ain't no damn bodega
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Built 4 cuban linx wrote: »That ain't no damn bodega
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'Bodega' startup forced to apologize after furious criticism of its name
Bodega, a new startup with plans to replace the corner store with eight-foot cabinets full of essentials, went under fire today on social media.
Many users criticized the startup on Twitter, claiming that the name was appropriative and that the company's apparent mission to replace small mom-and-pop businesses was concerning.
Now, in a Medium post titled "So, about our name...", CEO and cofounder Paul McDonald wrote that the social media criticism was "far beyond what we ever imagined."
McDonald also said that there "was a risk" of the name "being interpreted as misappropriation."
He added: "We apologize to anyone we've offended ... We intended only admiration."
Bodegas and corner stores are close to the hearts of many city dwellers, and many people tweeted passionate defenses of them. McDonald says it was never his intention to put local stores out of business.
"Challenging the urban corner store is not and has never been our goal," McDonald wrote. "[They] offer an integral human connection to their patrons that our automated storefronts never will."
Instead, McDonald says that Bodega is designed to put tiny automated stores where there is currently little or no retail offerings, like apartment lobbies, gyms, and college dormitories.
"Like NYC's bodegas, we want to build a shopping experience that stands for convenience and ubiquity for people who don't have easy access to a corner store," he wrote.
The idea is to place interactive pantry boxes full of nonperishable goods in convenient spots so you can just grab and go. An app unlocks the box, and camera sensors see what you take to charge you accordingly.
Both McDonald and his cofounder, Ashwath Rajan, are former Googlers. The startup has raised venture capital from notable investors like Josh Kopelman at First Round Capital, Forerunner Ventures' Kirsten Green, and Homebrew's Hunter Walk. According to a story by TechCrunch, the total amount raised was $2.5 million. -
Lol I wouldn't apologize..? soft
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Bodega = Corner store
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Man they cant replace the $3 Turkey sandwich we used to get from papis bodega at North 6th street in paterson. Went to many places, and I still havent found a turkey sandwich that good. I still pop in and buy one when im in the area.
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'Bodega' startup forced to apologize after furious criticism of its name
Bodega, a new startup with plans to replace the corner store with eight-foot cabinets full of essentials, went under fire today on social media.
Many users criticized the startup on Twitter, claiming that the name was appropriative and that the company's apparent mission to replace small mom-and-pop businesses was concerning.
Now, in a Medium post titled "So, about our name...", CEO and cofounder Paul McDonald wrote that the social media criticism was "far beyond what we ever imagined."
McDonald also said that there "was a risk" of the name "being interpreted as misappropriation."
He added: "We apologize to anyone we've offended ... We intended only admiration."
Bodegas and corner stores are close to the hearts of many city dwellers, and many people tweeted passionate defenses of them. McDonald says it was never his intention to put local stores out of business.
"Challenging the urban corner store is not and has never been our goal," McDonald wrote. "[They] offer an integral human connection to their patrons that our automated storefronts never will."
Instead, McDonald says that Bodega is designed to put tiny automated stores where there is currently little or no retail offerings, like apartment lobbies, gyms, and college dormitories.
"Like NYC's bodegas, we want to build a shopping experience that stands for convenience and ubiquity for people who don't have easy access to a corner store," he wrote.
The idea is to place interactive pantry boxes full of nonperishable goods in convenient spots so you can just grab and go. An app unlocks the box, and camera sensors see what you take to charge you accordingly.
Both McDonald and his cofounder, Ashwath Rajan, are former Googlers. The startup has raised venture capital from notable investors like Josh Kopelman at First Round Capital, Forerunner Ventures' Kirsten Green, and Homebrew's Hunter Walk. According to a story by TechCrunch, the total amount raised was $2.5 million.
How you gonna start a business that, if it works, will ? off bodegas, and then say you named it that because you admire them?
Same as white people killing indians and naming their towns and teams after them.
