Bodega AI automated 'Mom and Pop' stores accused of cultural appropriation

A vending machine manufacturer caused controversy after one of its founders went on the record to say the aim of the company was to replace neighbourhood mom-and-pop corner stores (also known as 'bodegas').

Bodega AI co-founder Paul McDonald quipped to Fast Company that 'centralized shopping locations won’t be necessary, because there will be 100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100 feet away from you' resulted in a widespread backlash from social media users and bodega/corner store owners.

Much of the backlash centred on the choice of name, which some regarded as cultural appropriation, marketing hype, and on the sense of community and belonging that traditional corner stores help provide. 

'Challenging the urban corner store is not and has never been our goal,' McDonald responded in a blog post. Rather, Bodega’s intended to 'bring commerce to places where commerce currently doesn’t exist.'

Bodega AI was renamed Stockwell shortly after the fracas.