BIO COMPANY Karl-Marx-Straße — Restaurant in Berlin

I had an interesting experience coming here, then reading through the other reviews.

I have mixed feelings about this shop and its relationship to the surrounding community. I believe EVERYONE deserves access to healthy food, nobody should need to eat toxic chemicals because they have less money. Sustainable practices and Fair trade are critical components of the future I want to see -- one where humans and nature thrive together rather than at war.

Poor people in Germany shouldn't be buying coffee grown with slave labor and toxic chemicals in Colombia!

In many ways, companies like this allow those who have more money to "vote" for that better world in the economic sense. One might even make an argument that this is more effective in changing things than the so-called democratic votes we cast.

But at the same time, this particular company is a chain, and this shop in particular seems to be somewhat indifferent to the community around it. They should realize that they are part of a bigger movement of gentrification and do their part to uplift those who live here as well as themselves.

The architecture of the shop feels elitist, they focus on a very "clean", upscale, aesthetic which is totally unnecessary for selling food, but part of the "brand" and experience they are selling. I reject that as it just adds insult to injury as people here are slowly priced out if their neighborhood.

Personally, I'd much rather see a small bioladen here that was open for all and made serious effort to integrate, provide some cheap bio things (at a loss even) to the community, do more outreach and education to make these things accessible to those with less money.

Selling better products while simultaneously alienating the majority of the people here isn't the way forward.

Companies like this do their research though, and know what is most likely to be profitable... Many people are clearly attracted to the elitist experience of shopping here as it justifies higher prices in their mind. We need to change the minds of consumers so that they also demand more egalitarian...

Heute um 13:24 Uhr war ich in dieser Filiale, um einen Cappuccino zu bestellen, und als ich an der Reihe war, war die Frau an der Kaffee- und Backstation die unhöflichste Person, die man sich vorstellen kann (weiß, mit dicken Brillen, in ihren 50ern). Sie bestand darauf, dass ich nicht in der Schlange war, obwohl andere Kunden und ich persönlich ihr versicherten, dass das nicht stimmt. Sie weigerte sich, das zu glauben, und ließ sich von niemandem überzeugen. Nicht nur ein Kunde hatte recht, sondern wir alle hatten recht, aber sie blieb stur und sagte, sie würde mir nicht dienen. Als ich versuchte, wie die größere Person zu handeln und zu bestellen, schaute sie mich an, stellte die Hände in die Hüften und sagte mit einer Dreistigkeit: „Oh, bestellst du immer noch?“ Was für eine Art von Person sagt so etwas unter dem Dach eines Geschäfts?! Alle waren schockiert über ihre Unhöflichkeit. Ich sprach dann mit dem Manager, einem sehr jungen Mann, der sich entschuldigte und sicherstellte, dass ich meine Bestellung erhielt. Ich hoffe, dass der Manager die Kameras überprüft, um zu sehen, wie unhöflich und unprofessionell diese Frau war. Es ist wichtig, dass solche Verhaltensweisen angesprochen werden, damit zukünftige Kunden eine angenehme Erfahrung haben.

English:

Today at 13:24, I visited this branch to order a cappuccino, and when I went to place my order, the woman at the coffee and bakery section was the rudest person imaginable (white, with thick glasses, in her 50s). She insisted that I was not in line, despite other customers and myself confirming that this was not true. She refused to believe any of us and remained obstinate. Not only was one customer right, but we all were, yet she did not budge and told me she wouldn’t serve me. When I tried to act like the bigger person and placed my order, she looked at me, put her hands on her hips, and audaciously asked, “Oh, are you still ordering?” What kind of person says this under a roof of a business?! Everyone was shocked at her uncivilized behavior. I then spoke with the manager, a very young man, who apologized and ensured that I received my order. I hope the manager checks the cameras to see how rude and unprofessional this woman was. It is important that such behavior is addressed so that future customers can have a...

What's the deal with the older gentleman who works at the bread counter?

Every time I am in the store, he seems to let the queue get really long and slow.

Plus I have seen him be quite rude with many customers, and there is almost always some confusion with either the order or the money for the order.

It wouldn't be so bad, but his overall demeanour and vibe give me the impression this unprofessional behaviour is deliberate.

The result is I don't enjoy visiting this store as much as I used, and i actively avoid going in if this person is on duty.

Have you...