communities all over the Midwest, a coffeeshop has been the anchor for community
renewal.
Each of these is a homegrown business, owned and operated by people who care
about community. The success of each goes beyond the coffeeshop itself. Each of
these coffeeshops has also been a key part of community renewal.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Hard Times Cafe has been one of the anchors of
community development for more than a decade. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
Zandbroz Coffeeshop and Variety store has been a centerpiece in the revival of
downtown.
In Decorah, Iowa, Magpie Coffeeshop is one of the newer businesses strengthening
a remarkably lively downtown. And in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Red Rooster
Coffeeshop has been part of the renewal of the city's downtown.
Here in Iowa City, Uptown Bill's has been a leading partner in the
revitalization of a retail corner just south of downtown. The Ralston Creek
Street Fair is just one example of this revival.
The success of these coffeeshops, and their role as a catalyst in strengthening
communities, suggests models for other communities around Iowa and beyond. One
community's coffeeshop could be a cooperative, like the Hard Times. Another
could be an employment center for individuals with disabilities, like Uptown
Bill's. Yet another could be a project for young people, like Magpie. Others
could be organized as typical small businesses, like Red Rooster.
There's also a coffeeshop engaged in community practice at the University of Iowa. In fact, it's a project of the School of Social Work - and it's been there for over
30 years.
Bill's Coffeeshop is a key link between the new coffeeshops of the last decade
and those of the 1960s. It's also a link between the coffeeshop as a business
enterprise and the coffeeshop as a social work setting.
Jane Addams and her friends at Hull House recognized the value of the
coffeeshop. It was one of the early experiments at Hull House and became an
integral part of the community.
The Hull House residents saw the coffeeshop not only as a place where people
could gather and talk over coffee. They also saw it as a place where people
could talk about important civic issues. And as a place where everyone's opinion
had equal importance, whatever one's background.
Bill's Coffeeshop has been a continuing experiment of these ideas. The new
coffeeshops emerging in our communities are doing the same thing with amazing
results.
One role of community practice in social work could be to strengthen this
coffeeshop work. And to transplant the idea into additional communities
which are also looking for renewal.
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12 comments:
I stopped at the Fryn Pan on W. 12th St. after reading your posting. (Wow, was it hard to get to because of the construction.) I could see the potential for community building in the place. Sometime, consider inviting me along to meet some of the "regulars."
coffeeshops are where the worlds problems can be solved, for my dad and me anyway. It's funny how I love to go to coffee but getting there takes so much prodding. I can always find something else more important when in reality talking with someone else and giving a little time is the best way to be a friend. I was sitting at the table the other night thinking about my friend I hadn't seen forever and I thought just go see her. It was great, I sat with her for two hours talking and bonding. Why does it take so much to get us there sometimes?
If you guys make it to Mobridge, I'll by the coffee.
Coffeeshops are really a place to go and relax and talk. It's cool to think that today coffeeshops are so popular and they were back in the time of jane addams. It's also interesting to look at the downtown area of cities in the state and other states and see that there is always a popular coffeeshop.
Molly Lapp
i think coffeeshopes liek the red rooster are awesome! Someplace that makes you feel calm, comfortable, and at home is an over all great idea.
linsey
....and coffee is great too........
I think coffee shops are great, its allows people to share there ideas and opinions, and just relax! And alot of people walk out of coffee shops with great ideas and an intent to make something of it. And...the coffee is a great perk!
Kayla Nelson
I think the coffe shop could be used as a reminder to us as social workers that there is always an opportunity to learn from someone else as well as to help teach. The good part is the ability to relax and make a difference to. Coffee Shops are there to help revitalize us as well. Sometimes we forget to take care of our selves while we are busy putting ourselves out there for others.
George
I think coffeeshops are a great part of communities. They really do help a community develop. When you go for a cup of coffee and have to walk by a couple of shops and decide to stop in and shop. This helps keep small businesses open and less people are moving away.
rachael hayenga
Coffee shops are great even if you don't drink coffee. It's a place to see others and visit about different issues around town,city, and world. It gives you insight to other peoples views because there not always the same which may even change the way a person thinks or views different issues. Insight is always good!
Timi
I wish that my hometown had a coffee shop where people would go to sit and talk. I think that coffee shops help make a community better. All towns should have one.
Callie
I like coffee shops, its a good place to meet people, it brings a communitity together.
Amanda N
Wow, what a powerful story. God Bless to all these mothers and all mothers and parents who have lost their children to violence. Violence, an act that could be controlled if only people truly cared about each other as God intended for us to love each other s we love Him. Maybe each of us could "stop" and help the next troubled kid we meet. Maybe we could "stop" and really take the time to talk to a troubled student or child. Maybe we could just "stop" one more time and save one more child.
It seems to me if some of the community would get together with different people who live in different life situations they could see how they could help each other. Jane Addams once thought that by bringing the rich and poor together might be a good thing. Similar to Mary and the meeting of the two mothers --- kind of like putting together the beauty and the beast with Don Quote sitting at the table -- to remind them that there is "good in every person" or creature so to speak.
I think coffee shops are a great place to go relax, and take away some stress in your life. We just went to Chicago and there was a coffee shop every block at least! it was crazy
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