Eat What You What, Pay What You Can in Dearborn
Switch is Official: Panera Cares in Dearborn Opens Today, Nov. 21
Eat what you want, pay what you can at Dearborn's Panera Cares, located at Michigan and Howard.
Dearborn’s Panera Bread officially switches to Panera Cares today, a non-profit restaurant where customers pay what they wish for their order.
We wrote about this switch earlier in the week (see that story HERE.). Dearborn becomes the second store that we know of to go to this new business model. The first opened in Clayton, Mo., earlier this year.
Readers of this site seem to be tracking neutral to negative with this change, questioning the wisdom, the people it may attract and what it will do to other businesses who can’t afford to give away their product for discount prices or even free.
Interesting that our Dearborn store is sandwiched between a Panera Bread in Dearborn Heights on Ford Road and another in Allen Park atop of landfill mountain. Kind of feels like the Panera corporate folks are hedging bets with this experiment in Dearborn.
Two employees of the Dearborn store say the same experience Panera Bread offered patrons will continue with the switch to Panera Cares.
Here is what an employee by the name of April Kersey and Rachel Sleger posted in our comments section (the typos and misspelled words are not ours):
April Kersey says:
Okay, I work at the panera cares in Dearborn Mi. We open tomarrow and we are on fire for the switch. This switch means nothing but great things for the community! The fereshly baked yesterday goods are only in the bakery section and taste exactly the same, dont belive us, let us give you a sample. We want you to taste our product before you donate for it. Our store is still held to the same standards. We only give product to our customers what is quality! The bread that your sandwhichs are on is freash baked daily and the food is all the same. We enocurage those with the means to pay at least suggested donation level, to do so and if you cant, well thats okay too. thats what we are here for. its not a hand out its a hand up. We open tomarrow – Sunday. Come see us. We’ll show you what were all about.
Rachel Sleger says:
I am also a worker at the Panera Cares in Dearborn, MI. This is something that is great and exciting! Everyone should be happy for this change because that’s exactly what we are doing…we are making a change. We are helping others who are in need and also still here for those regular customers that come in every morning to order their bagel with cream cheese and coffee before work. Panera is all about warmth. We want everyone to feel welcome. As April stated above, if you are at all concerned about the quality of our bakery items or cafe items everyone in the bakery cafe is more than willing to open their arms and answer any questions or hand out samples to ensure our product tastes no different. Our sandwiches are made on baked fresh daily bread along with the baguettes we serve as a side with any entree. The product is to the same standards as before. Our bakery section is baked fresh yesterday items. Our grand reopening is tomorrow Sunday, November 21! We encourage everyone to stop in to learn a bit more of what we are about and support our non-profit community cafe.
The two employees make a valid point. Before anyone writes off the switch, we should at least drop in once and try it.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:46 am
Why do these company self-endorsements keep harping on the quality of the food? Nobody has questioned that. And why is it that we’re just hearing from “workers”? How come Panera management or the guy who leases them their building hasn’t been publicly plugging this program?
There are a LOT of homeless people in a ten mile radius. Is Panera going to discontinue their soup kitchen if the program attracts homeless people to take up residence in the Downtown Business District or nearby woods by our houses and become a drain on public resources which are already overextended?
November 21st, 2010 at 11:58 am
I went to the Panera Cares this morning forgetting that it had made the switch until I saw the signs. I went in and truly have never felt such a warm, fuzzy feeling when eating a meal before. It is NOT a soup kitchen, nor is it a free handout. It’s a recognition that in today’s world, sometimes people are hungry and need food. I don’t know how many homeless or down-on-their-luck people you know, but my dad has been laid off twice through no fault of his own. We could never have eaten at panera when that happened. That said, given this business model we would have been able to eat for a smaller donation than suggested. My proud family would NEVER have been willing to eat there and give no donation. If you took some time to work in a soup kitchen or with a homeless ministry like I do you would know that these people are working as hard as they can to be given a chance. They hate taking handouts. THAT is who this PaneraCares is designed for. It is there so that we who are more fortunate can help out our brothers and sisters by paying a little more for our meal if we’re able so that they can pay what they are able. Am I the only one who knows people whose homes have been foreclosed? Who have lost their job through no fault of their own? Who has a pile of medical bills? I don’t live in that situation, and while I don’t make much money myself, I realize just how fortunate and truly blessed I am to be able to share with others. I don’t need to know WHY they need help, only that they need help, and how cold-hearted some of these posters are if they look at this only as a place where ‘poor people’ are going to go. I for one will choose this Panera over the one in Allen Park that is closer to me because it is DOING GOOD for the community. What a concept. Especially at this time of year, take the time to be grateful for all you have and share it. This is a Pay It Forward type of business, give it a try with an open mind and open heart ready to help others.
November 21st, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Not having read this article until now, i actually went to panera and met April today. I had heard on the news that i could pay what i wanted and was temped to see what it was all about. As soon as i walked in, she greeted me and walked me down to the register explaining the concept. I thought it was great and i could tell that the whole crew at panera was really behind it. They made me believe it was really going to work and April and i believe a managaer encouraged me to take home some holiday bread for the rest of my family to try. I have been to this panera a couple times before but now i plan to come much more now that i know i’m helping out. I work in West Dearborn and unlike most people in the previous article, think that this cafe is not going to be attracting anyone of the bad nature and that this is a great idea! Also just to let you know, i met Ron, the presdient of the non-profit, he is talking about the organization the word just hasent gotten out yet.
November 21st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I was also excited about the prospect of a community-minded charitable alternative. I must say, however, that Panera has no business selling day-old bagels for 90 cents! Next time, I will drive to the hill and pay the extra 10 cents for a fresh bagel!
November 21st, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Ok I hope this works out for everybody. but I sense a more logical reason for this. With two other stores within just a couple of miles (with free parking) and being locked into a long-term lease in dearborn. My guess is they are not profitable at this location and by doing this it allows Panara Bread to write off this location. It is a win/win for the company and community.
November 22nd, 2010 at 5:48 am
Excellent points Milwood.
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:27 am
Milwood- you are spot on. Building is foreclosed and being operated by the bank too- nonprof status probably has positiive implications too
November 22nd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Thanks, Said, for the great writeups on this very interesting development. I’m excited about this “bet on humanity,” but admittedly a little anxious, too. Most of all, I hope it doesn’t hurt other restaurants in the community.
November 22nd, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Non-profit status not withstanding, I went to Panera Cares today. Got the same thing I always do: broccoli cheddar soup and a caesar salad with a baguette, and it tasted exactly the same. Long line at lunch, no one obviously homeless. The staff was friendly and answered all questions. Heard good things from all customers.
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:52 am
I would hope that dearborn welcomes this concept. Panera has been working with me on this for months. This store ranged in the middle in sales nationaly. The operation is still the same, the food is made the same day, the bakery items are the only differnce they are moved from others stores daily. sm 1968 says, you are not correct about my building, not only is it not being forclosed on but it is free and clear.
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:30 am
I went to Paneras on the first two days of Panera Cares. The CEO, Ron, overheard me talking to one of the employess about the lack of communication to the community. He never answered why they didn’t inform people-I asked twice and no answer. We had a great breakfast Sunday and he recognized me on Monday. My bagel was stale. Day old??? There is a lot of “hoopla” going on. Let’s see how this really workes. We don’t need another vacant building in Dearborn.
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:36 am
As I drove by the Panera Sunday night (about 10:30 p.m.), on my way to return library books, I wondered what was going on at Panera. At the time, I didn’t know about the store changeover.
I saw a mini van parked near the front entrance, its back hatch opened. Next to it, sitting on the sidewalk at the curb, were clear plastic trash bags filled with baked goods. I figured the goods were the remains of the day and that the employees were taking them out of the store to donate to a food shelter or something–lots of businesses do that, including the restaurant at the building where I work.
What was a bit troublesome for me was seeing how the food was being handled. Even though the stuff was bagged up and probably fine, it didn’t look good seeing the food sitting on the street. Given the changeover, I now wonder if the goods were actually coming into the store from other locations and not out of it. If so, the next stop for that bag is probably either a countertop in the store or the floor of the store.
Whether I am eating that bagel, or it was going to a shelter, please Panera, if you Care, don’t do that again. If nothing else it is, at the least, unappetizing.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Any tax experts on this forum that knows if there are any tax implications to the city based on changing from profit to non-profit? What is done with ‘donations’ that are higher than operating costs? These ‘profits’ go where? Since they are not ‘profits’, then they are not paying taxes on it, right? From the surface, seems like a potential raw deal to the city, but I’m only speculating, which is why I’m asking if someone knows for sure on this board.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Does anyone know what is going in next to Thai Palace?
November 24th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
One of the best places in town is expanding…. Delesiosa…..(don’t know about my spelling.)
November 24th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Peder – where are they going? Or is there a vacant bldg next door – can’t remember. They do have a fantastic sandwiches and huge salads.
November 25th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Going next door..the former Mexican restaurant… tripple the space,, the David Allan Pasta is my taking….
November 26th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Thanks – mine is the Roast Beef Provolone.
November 28th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Take a look at today’s Free Press “2011 Notice of Forfeited Properties”, p 6a – and all of the properties owned by Dearborn’s preferred developer on which taxes have not been paid since 2008. Seems if he owned the BWW bldg “free and clear” (see above) he might want to put a little of that free equity toward these ong overdue tax obligations.
Just asking, Hakim – “please pay your taxes.”
November 29th, 2010 at 1:38 am
Tdogg you are funny. Hakim is not going to pay his taxes. He is the perfect example of what is wrong with this city. The city of Dearborn would be better off without him.
December 1st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Hakim is nothing more than a stiff artist. He is going to walk over the big fella just like he has done so many times before. U owe so much in back taxes, and u know as well as us that you r going to stiff again, unless u find another screwball to invest with u (r u listening Jimmy Parrelly?).
December 1st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
tdogg–did you also see the two houses belonging to I.M.A.M.—the Iraqi Muslim Shi’a (Shi’ite) charitable organization that has purchased the Atrium building and surrounding land at 835 Mason in west Dearborn—that also face foreclosure?
One I.M.A.M. house is on Edward in west Dearborn, the other is in east Dearborn.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:49 pm
If this business plan lasts 90 days, I’ll be surprised.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Does somebody know what the plan is for this I.M.A.M. group? What are they up to? They can’t pay taxes on two houses, but they are buying a whole city block? I don’t get it.
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I.M.A.M.’s website says it all—be sure to click on the links to all of the stories about their activities in Dearborn., which is one of the organization’s three North American headquarters…
http://www.imam-us.org/Home/tabid/112/Default.aspx
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I have been out of town and missed the council meeting.
Did Hakim get his 7th extension or is he waiting till the last meeting in December, like he always does to cry “I need more time”.
How is someone who owns half of the area, and it is all in foreclosure, according to the section from Wayne County in the newspaper, still be the preferred developer?
What is he going to develop? More empty and deserted buildings? What ever happened to his last agreement with the City to fix up the condemned buildings along Michigan Ave.
This City is a joke. They wallow in self-importance while other cities around them grow and prosper without a “preferred developer”.
The city needs to wake up or it will continue to have the same as always in that area. Lots of Nothing.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I did see that about IMAM – maybe the tax bills get lost on the way to Iraq or something. I’ll make a bet – that building will be on the Wayne County Treasurer’s list in two years.
What galls me is the attitude of Hakim and others that “only losers pay taxes” and that to do so is the act of a fool. I remember a response to one of my rants that I should chill out – that the taxes actually go to Wayne County (which they do initially) and the City isn’t out anything. Nice attitude, eh?
So everyday when I drive by Hakim’s beautiful house on my way to work, to earn the money to pay my property taxes, I give him the salute he so richly deserves. I just wish the mayor and others would join me.
December 6th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Mr Fakoury- you must have been mistaken- the detroit free press wayne county sections says you b de-lynn-qwint on dem taxes…..
Pay up mr free and clear-
Hakim Fakhoury says:
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:52 am
I would hope that dearborn welcomes this concept. Panera has been working with me on this for months. This store ranged in the middle in sales nationaly. The operation is still the same, the food is made the same day, the bakery items are the only differnce they are moved from others stores daily. sm 1968 says, you are not correct about my building, not only is it not being forclosed on but it is free and clear.