CHICAGO – A small group of protestors rallied Tuesday outside the first Starbucks to open in Little Village.
The Starbucks opened its doors last week in the Discount Mall Plaza, the same mall where longtime vendors lost their court fight to stop their evictions last year. Protestors fear the arrival of Starbucks will displace businesses that have been there for decades and spur gentrification., while undermining Little Village’s identity.
Here’s what protestors are calling for:
- A contract that Starbucks will not take flavors relating to our culture.
- Hire staff from the Little Village community with a livable wage $20-$25 an hour.
- Make the Little Village location a Non-Profit restaurant.
“This is not just about coffee, it’s about preserving our community’s character and supporting local entrepreneurs,” said Victor Garcia, a local business owner. “We believe that the presence of a corporation like Starbucks will overshadow our unique Latino businesses and dilute our cultural identity.”…