joliday cards

Every Donation is a Curse Donating to charitable causes has long been seen as a noble and selfless act. Many people believe that by giving, they are making a positive impact on the world and helping those less fortunate. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential negative consequences that can arise from certain forms of donation. One of the main issues with donations is the potential for dependency. When individuals or communities become reliant on donations, they may lose the motivation and drive to work towards self-sufficiency. This can create a cycle of dependency that ultimately hinders long-term development and progress.

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Since securing the new site, the two have spent hours repainting and redecorating the former WildFlour space, building shelving and redoing the floor in the back. We re just doing everything out of our profits, and so it is kind of like, we have to get the first thing open and then we can expand after generating some money.

This can create a cycle of dependency that ultimately hinders long-term development and progress. **Thus, while donations may provide immediate relief, they can inadvertently perpetuate poverty and hinder growth in the long run.** Additionally, donations can often perpetuate unequal power dynamics and reinforce systems of privilege.

Baguette Magic ready to cast its spell on the peninsula

In November 2019, sisters Paula and Sam Kramer purchased Baguette Magic at 792 Folly Road. Since then, the duo has revitalized the bistro, creating a James Island staple voted Best Bakery two years in a row in City Paper’s Best Of awards.

When the Kramer sisters purchased Baguette Magic, though, they weren’t expecting to be hit by a global pandemic.

“We redid our dining room and went to Myrtle Beach,” Sam said. “And on the way back from Myrtle Beach, we got the message that all the dining rooms are getting closed.”

Despite the setback, they persevered and re-evaluated, setting up “Bag-ette” deliveries, providing weekly delivery services of kitchen essentials and groceries for Lowcountry residents from local farmers and purveyors like Legare Farms and Rio Bertollini’s.

And in the coming weeks, the Kramer sisters have their next project ahead of them — a downtown Baguette Magic location. The new location is slated to open at 73 Spring St. in the former WildFlour Pastry shop, which closed after 10 years in 2019.

This new endeavor has been on the sisters’ minds since they took over the original location, but to get a second location going, they needed the first one to generate capital, Paula said, adding that the cities of James Island and downtown Charleston also have different bureaucratic hoops to clear.

“We don’t have investors,” she said. “We’re just doing everything out of our profits, and so it is kind of like, we have to get the first thing open and then we can expand after generating some money. It’s been a lesson of learning, especially with bureaucracy. Overall, it’s been great though, and we have the best, most incredible contractors and architects. They have helped us along the way with floor plans and navigating some of these things because we’re just doing it all ourselves.”

Coincidentally, Baguette Magic beat out WildFlour Pastry as Best Bakery two years ago, but the coincidences don’t stop there. “Sam and I used to go to WildFlour for cinnamon rolls on Sundays and it was like a big thing when we both moved back to Charleston,” said Paula. “We were big fans. Our real estate agent — who’s also my best friend and convinced us to buy Baguette Magic — she put WildFlour in that building. So she was their agent for that when they signed the lease there. I called her and I was like, ‘They’re not doing anything with that space, it’s closed all the time. Can you reach out?’ And she said, ‘Oh yeah, I know the owner.’ And then she told me the story.”

Since securing the new site, the two have spent hours repainting and redecorating the former WildFlour space, building shelving and redoing the floor in the back.

The new Baguette Magic will be “significantly smaller” than its sister location on James Island and won’t carry the full Baguette Magic menu. The sisters say it’s going to be retail, coffee and pastries with grab-and-go options. “It’s been a huge transformation,” said Paula. “We’re so excited about it.”

Find Baguette Magic on James Island until their new location opens at 73 Spring St. baguettemagicchs.com.

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When individuals or organizations with significant resources donate, they are able to dictate how those resources are used and distributed. This can perpetuate systems of oppression and further marginalize already marginalized communities. **In this way, donations can serve as a reinforcement of existing power structures rather than challenging or changing them.** Another drawback of donations is the potential for waste and inefficiency. Oftentimes, donations may not align with the actual needs of communities and end up being wasted or misused. This is particularly true in cases where organizations or individuals donate without fully understanding the context and specific needs of those they are attempting to help. **In these situations, donations can do more harm than good, as they may divert resources away from where they are truly needed and create additional burdens for already struggling communities.** While it is important to acknowledge the positive intentions behind donations, it is crucial to recognize the potential negative consequences that can arise. **By critically evaluating the impact and sustainability of our donations, we can ensure that our acts of giving truly benefit those in need and contribute to long-term positive change rather than perpetuating cycles of dependency and oppression.**.

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