At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we work to break the chains of monopoly power in all sectors of our economy. From challenging incumbent cable monopolies in order to promote better Internet connectivity to pointing out how Amazon pushes local retailers out of the market, our researchers develop positive policy prescriptions to improve local economies. This podcast series provides a first glimpse at some of our newest original research and a unique economic perspective on today's most pressing topics.
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At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we work to break the chains of monopoly power in all sectors of our economy. From challenging incumbent cable monopolies in order to promote better Internet connectivity to pointing out how Amazon pushes local retailers out of the market, our researchers develop positive policy prescriptions to improve local economies. This podcast series provides a first glimpse at some of our newest original research and a unique economic perspective on today's most pressing topics.
The Diner Building Community In Times of Crisis: Ladybird’s Meg Heriford
Building Local Power
6 months ago
The Diner Building Community In Times of Crisis: Ladybird’s Meg Heriford
Saturday, March 14, 2020, was even busier than the typical bustling Saturday at Ladybird Diner in Lawrence, Kansas. Bottles of handmade hand sanitizer were perched on each table. It was Pi Day, a special occasion for the homey diner famous for its pie. But Ladybird owner Meg Heriford was scared and unsure. The crowds were enough to convince her not to open the next day, instead opting to regroup in advance of the gathering COVID storm. Suddenly, she found herself with a kitchen full of food and nobody to serve it to. What happened next is a testament to the community-building power of independent businesses.
We revisit Ladybird Diner's story not to tell a tale from the past, but to provide the prologue for the moment we find ourselves in today. Five years later, Meg is slinging pie amid new crises and political upheaval. But her commitment to her principles is unwavering: Treat her staff well, feed both the privileged and underprivileged of Lawrence, and build community through pie, coffee, and glittery vinyl booths. In an unforgettable Building Local Power episode that can only be described as inspiring, hear directly from Meg about how she stewards her diner through volatile times and why she calls that work noble.
For transcript and related resources, see the episode page at https://ilsr.org/articles/blp-the-diner-building-community
Building Local Power
At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we work to break the chains of monopoly power in all sectors of our economy. From challenging incumbent cable monopolies in order to promote better Internet connectivity to pointing out how Amazon pushes local retailers out of the market, our researchers develop positive policy prescriptions to improve local economies. This podcast series provides a first glimpse at some of our newest original research and a unique economic perspective on today's most pressing topics.
