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A new product, Bodega, was introduced on Wednesday and received almost instant online criticism, which led the company to release a public apology later that day.
Bodega, a sleek, user-friendly convenience store packed into a pantry, was created by two former Google employees who claim this product is as "easy as opening your pantry."
Following the announcement of the app that allows you to purchase any amenity without having to leave your building or interact with any human, an article by FastCompany went viral as it criticized Bodega's name and purpose.
"Bodega’s logo is a cat, a nod to the popular bodega cat meme on social media–although if the duo gets their way, real felines won’t have brick-and-mortar shops to saunter around and take naps in much longer. “The vision here is much bigger than the box itself,” McDonald says. “Eventually, centralized shopping locations won’t be necessary, because there will be 100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100 feet away from you.”
Co-founder and CEO of Bodega, Paul McDonald released a public apology shortly after FastCompany's story broke. McDonald addressed the idea that Bodega was attempting to wipe out corner stores.
"Definitely not. Challenging the urban corner store is not and has never been our goal," stated McDonald.
He continued by describing corner stores as the "fixtures of neighbourhoods" and something they have no desire of eradicating.
"We want to bring commerce to places where commerce currently doesn't exist. Rather than take away jobs, we hope Bodega will help create them," stated McDonald.
The Bodega cabinet is sized at eight square feet (2.4 metres) of retail shelf space.
It sells a variety of items including food, electronics, office or school supplies, workout gear and more.
It tailors its products to the location, whether it's a college, office, or gym.
McDonald also responded to criticism around the name, Bodega:
"Despite our best intentions and our admiration for traditional bodegas, we clearly hit a nerve this morning, we apologize. Rather than disrespect to traditional corner stores - or worse yet, a threat - we intended only admiration."
The name, bodega, can refer to a wine cellar or convenience store.
Bodega currently exists in more than 30 locations in the San Francisco Bay area.
According to TechCrunch, Bodega has raised more than $2.5 million in financing from First Round Capital, Homebrew and Forerunner Ventures.
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