Recently I was reading a news article on a restaurant and bakery chain, Panera Breads, based in the US. They have started a social enterprise which is innovative. They have started a non-profit storefront in St. Louis where customers can walk in a pick up anything they need. It is like any other store, with one difference - the prices. There are no prices mentioned. You may pay what you like.
In case you cannot pay or do not want to pay, you are asked to give time. Time for volunteering to help 'at-risk' youth of the area. It is also a test to check how much society can rally around for a cause such as this. Poor and needy can grab a bite and contribute in a soft form rather than hard cash! Is the behavious sustainable? Will there be enough revenue to continue to do this business. Time will tell, but Panera has made a good beginning and the revenue number was 20% more than a for-profit storefront in the area.
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