3 ms·

I grew up in Clayton, MO, and this is the former St. Louis Bread Co (now Panera) that I have been going to since the early 90s. I live in SF, but I go back the

I grew up in Clayton, MO, and this is the former St. Louis Bread Co (now Panera) that I have been going to since the early 90s. I live in SF, but I go back there several times a year, and I have been to this store since it went to its current pay-what-you want model. A few observations: 1. As the article indicates, the system is really confusing. People who haven't been there before have no idea what's going on. They ring up the total amount as if you were purchasing the food normally, and then it's up to you what to do. If you decide to pay, they can make you change. For example (IIRC), your sandwich is $7.50, you put $10 into a little donation box, and they give you change of $2.50. The first few times I went I wasn't sure what to do. 2. It's in a fairly nice area of St. Louis (right across from the county courts+jail as well as several small high-rise office towers). There isn't a huge homeless problem like you would have in downtown SF, where it would effectively be a soup kitchen. 3. The neighboring businesses hated it--they viewed it as a big chain driving them out of business by undercutting prices on lunch. One business on the same block posted a big sign in its front window protesting the move. I don't know if any competitors have actually closed as a result, but they certainly didn't like the idea. 4. This location of BreadCo/Panera has always had low-price day-old bread and pastries available, iirc. They are now pay-what-you-want, which means mostly free. They keep bags of them by the door, and I have seen folks (most of whom look like they need it) take them. Having been there a few times and as a fan of STL Bread Co, it's hard for me to believe that this would work on a large scale.

westicle 15y ago
Observation 1 is disappointing. It seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world... pay what you feel. There is a chain of places that operate under the same model here in Melbourne, Australia but without any suggested prices or cashiers ringing up the "bill". I've been there a few times and it always seems straightforward - drop the cash in the box on your way out. (http://www.lentilasanything.com/index.html http://www.lentilasanything.com/index.html) I'm sure some patrons are financially struggling but I can never tell who they are. Many of the staff are newly arrived refugees and I imagine one of the goals of the chain is to provide meaningful work experience and social integration opportunities.
briandon 15y ago
I would have loved to see the message on that other eatery's protest sign. Do you remember which place it was? I was just looking at what I think (may be wrong) is the Panera location mentioned in the article: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=panera+clayton,+missouri&aq=&sll=38.642551,-90.323753&sspn=0.004859,0.004002&layer=tc&ie=UTF8&hq=panera&hnear=Clayton,+St+Louis,+Missouri&ll=38.649891,-90.338345&spn=0.027483,0.032015&t=h&z=15&lci=com.panoramio.all,com.youtube.all,com.google.webcams&cbll=38.649876,-90.338329&panoid=J932OLQIrWVpfczbj5N0Ag&cbp=12,94.01,,1,8.79 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&#38...
edanm 15y ago
I grew up in St. Louis as well, I always loved the St. Louis Bread Co. It's right across the street from (what was) my dentist, and we would always eat there after an appointment. Was the highlight of any dentist visit, I can assure you! Glad to see it's doing well, and being charitable to boot.
khafra 15y ago
In Kirkland, a rich suburb near Redmond, a Microsoft millionaire has had a pay-what-you-want coffee shop for a while. I don't think it would work outside areas with significant social pressure on most patrons in the direction of not appearing cheap.

westicle 15y ago

Observation 1 is disappointing. It seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world... pay what you feel. There is a chain of places that operate under the same model here in Melbourne, Australia but without any suggested prices or cashiers ringing up the "bill". I've been there a few times and it always seems straightforward - drop the cash in the box on your way out. (http://www.lentilasanything.com/index.html http://www.lentilasanything.com/index.html) I'm sure some patrons are financially struggling but I can never tell who they are. Many of the staff are newly arrived refugees and I imagine one of the goals of the chain is to provide meaningful work experience and social integration opportunities.

briandon 15y ago

I would have loved to see the message on that other eatery's protest sign. Do you remember which place it was? I was just looking at what I think (may be wrong) is the Panera location mentioned in the article: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=panera+clayton,+missouri&aq=&sll=38.642551,-90.323753&sspn=0.004859,0.004002&layer=tc&ie=UTF8&hq=panera&hnear=Clayton,+St+Louis,+Missouri&ll=38.649891,-90.338345&spn=0.027483,0.032015&t=h&z=15&lci=com.panoramio.all,com.youtube.all,com.google.webcams&cbll=38.649876,-90.338329&panoid=J932OLQIrWVpfczbj5N0Ag&cbp=12,94.01,,1,8.79 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&#38...

edanm 15y ago

I grew up in St. Louis as well, I always loved the St. Louis Bread Co. It's right across the street from (what was) my dentist, and we would always eat there after an appointment. Was the highlight of any dentist visit, I can assure you! Glad to see it's doing well, and being charitable to boot.

khafra 15y ago

In Kirkland, a rich suburb near Redmond, a Microsoft millionaire has had a pay-what-you-want coffee shop for a while. I don't think it would work outside areas with significant social pressure on most patrons in the direction of not appearing cheap.