Coffee politics is everywhere around the world, in every major city and here in Brampton. During World War Two, Brazil was the only South American country to send military assistance to the Allies. Most countries in South America were neutral. By 1946, America was still courting Brazil and as a trade-off imported one of Brazil's major commodities- coffee. To bolster that arrangement in 1946, Frank Sinatra recorded the 'coffee song'; They've Got An Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil. The song still has relevance today because it underscores the big coffee wars in North America and now in Brampton. Brazilians still grow coffee beans by the billions and they need to sell it around the world and they're not the only ones.
Now, who doesn't like a nice hot cup of coffee? Well believe it or not there are plenty of people who don't. But for those of us that do, we like it hot or cold with milk or cream or sugar or other stuff.
Some claim that the health effects of coffee are huge. Others not so much. Some claim that coffee is a protective panacea for all kinds of chronic diseases. Others believe that in large doses it is addictive. All of that is part of the background to the coffee wars looming at the four corners in every town and city and now in Brampton.
Essentially it boils down to this. John Cutruzzola, a local businessman, has leased a Starbucks in the newly refurbished Dominion Building â?¦ you know the one with the old clock tower at Main and Queen streets. John has spent large amounts of money to renovate that building. He has modernized it adding a glass and steel addition and he has saved it from the wreckers and from becoming a highrise. Cutruzzola has more than any other private citizen taken the challenge to modernize the four corners and he is using his money to do it, not ours.
Sometimes though you can't catch a break and believe it or not, some folks think Starbucks will cause a major catastrophe for the businesses there. They think that it is inappropriate to house a coffee shop in the refurbished Dominion Building and that it somehow takes away from the history of the building. These folks need to take a drive up and down Main Street and see how many old houses have been converted to commercial and medical places. The whole episode is just a tempest in a tea pot.
Some folks still don't get it. The four corners will stay underdeveloped until small business, the city, and major investors see the possibilities. Cutruzzola, for his part, is continuing to keep the ball rolling and the Dominion Building is a prime example of what one person can do. Mike Gagnon, a downtown business man, has it right when he says, " I would like to congratulate John Cutruzzola for having leased to Starbucksâ?¦ As for the other coffee shops located in the downtown, increased competition in the downtown is what makes good business become great business."
In a time when the major shopping plazas are beating the heck out of the four corners, commercial competition should be the rallying point for business. Starbucks, Coffee Culture, and perhaps Green Cup Roastery will bring another feature to attract people to that area. Brampton needs to ensure that each commercial part of the city can support itself and can draw people. The Rose theatre is one magnet, but on its own can't make the magic that businesses can if there are other ways to establish a presence and provide services that people want.
So c'mon on down Starbucks and hello Green Cup Roastery. We hope you both do well. And Coffee Culture we still think you make a great cup of coffee. So let's face it, there'll be an awful lot of coffee in Brampton, just like Brazil. By the way, what happened to Tims?
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