A block of buildings located just off of the downtown in a small Wisconsin city, and located just a couple of blocks from a river may be an unlikely place for activism. But, this row of four businesses is involved in a type of activism that people can take part in every day. All it involves is providing an outlet for people to exercise their choices as consumers and make choices that benefit local people and sustainability.
Stevens Point and Its Block of Sustainable Buildings
Stevens Point, Wisconsin is a small city of approximately 25,000 people. It is home to a state university and has many picturesque tree-lined streets.
The first of the sustainable businesses was Emy J’s coffee shop. Emy J’s offers a variety of treats from baked goods, to ice cream, to a variety of drinks, including coffee. Whenever possible, the company buys from local organic farmers. For such items that cannot be bought in Central Wisconsin, like coffee, the company buys from certified fair trade growers. Fair trade coffee makes sure that local, small growers get the proceeds from their labors. The company’s website outlines the following goals as its goals:
- To maintain the highest quality standards for our products.
- To provide the best customer service possible.
- To promote an inclusive workplace and help the local and worldwide communities.
The company has social as well as commercial goals. Since then, a restaurant connected to Emy J’s, and a bakery have opened up in this block as well. The fourth business to open up does not offer anything to eat, but it does adhere to the same ethic.
Raw Materials for Hand Made Clothes
The Wisconsin Wool Exchange is the newest business to move into this block of sustainable and locally-oriented businesses. The Exchange moved into this block from nearby Amherst, Wisconsin.
According to the Exchange’s website the company is,
“…. a small worker-owned fiber store carrying many loacally raised fibers including Icelandic, merino, angora, alpaca, and Shetland. We also have all the felting, crochet and knitting tools and books to consume all this yummy wool.”
The Exchange also offers classes and instruction to help make people make their own clothing and accessories.
Companies like these help support sustainable and organic agriculture and keep money in the local community They also give consumers an option. In addition to shopping at national chains and big box stores, consumers have to option of what types of businesses they choose to support. These companies offer a form of activism in what they offer and consumers can exercise a form of activism in how they spend their money
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
Join the Conversation