How to spend your money as an act of resistance in San Antonio

Major companies are rolling back DEI initiatives, capitulating to Trump’s executive orders targeting inclusionary practices and language. Meanwhile, the administration appears to be extending even more power to billionaires willing to go along with its agenda.

In this uncertain time, a lot of Americans are reconsidering where they’re spending their money.

In response to the DEI rollbacks, the People’s Union has called for a national Economic Blackout on Friday, Feb. 28, asking consumers to withhold their spending nationwide to make a statement.

Businesses being targeted by the blackout include major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target, according to organizers. However, they also encourage participants to avoid buying fast food and gas.

“If consumers must make purchases, they are asked to buy only from small, local businesses,” Newsweek reported on the blackout.
As such, the Current has compiled a list of local businesses and DEI-friendly retailers to replace the major brands being targeted. Plus, we threw in a few other replacements for corporations that have engaged in anti-union behavior or donated major sums of money to Trump’s reelection.

With so many great options, why let the boycott end after Feb. 28?

1. H-E-B, Costco and farmers markets instead of Target or Walmart
Both H-E-B and Costco adamantly support DEI, and they carry many of the same household items as Target and Walmart. San Antonio has more than 40 H-E-B stores and three Costco locations. For bonus points, get your produce from local farms. Green Bexar Farms has a community supported agriculture program, which operates like a subscription service for fresh veggies, and Balboa Farms delivers orders as low as $25. Many area growers also sell at local farmers markets.

2. Local coffee shops instead of Starbucks
After only four months on the job, new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol was awarded $96 million in pay. Meanwhile, he announced more than 1,100 corporate layoffs in an attempt to “streamline operations.” The company’s also notorious for clamping down on unions at its 17,000 U.S. stores. Instead of supporting Starbucks, San Antonio has plenty of local options including Theory Coffee, Mila, What’s Brewing, San Antonio Gold, Summer Moon, Folklores, Rise, Poetic Republic, Revolución Cafe and many more.

3. Local flower shops instead of Trader Joe’s
Lots of people love Trader Joe’s for its flowers, but other options in town may offer less ethical baggage. Trader Joe’s is trying to dismantle the National Labor Relations Board in cahoots with Starbucks, Amazon and SpaceX. Despite its crunchy image, the company also faces accusations of anti-union practices. Try Flowerama, San Antonio Flower Co. or farmers markets instead.
4. Local book shops instead of Amazon
Amazon has become the go-to for many Americans when it comes to reading material. However, founder Jeff Bezos’ presence behind Trump at his inauguration along with accusations of flooding striking workers are only the latest in a long list of concerns many have about the company. San Antonio boasts indie alternatives including Nowhere Books, Nine Lives Books and the Twig Book Shop. Websites like Bookshop.org or Thriftbooks.com also offer options for ethically purchasing books online.

5. Local sandos instead of Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s CEO Jimmy John Liautaud donated $3.1 million to Trump’s re-election campaign. Why support his chain when locally owned Wicked ‘Wich offers lunchtime fare at a competitive price and keeps its profits in SA? Other great locally owned sandwich options include The Station Cafe, The Hayden, Gino’s Deli and Max & Louie’s.

6. Local hardware stores instead of Home Depot
San Antonio has lots of locally owned hardware retailers including Five Oaks Hardware, Johnnie Chuokes, Sunset & Co. and Braundera Yard & Hardware. Choose one of these instead of Home Depot, whose former CEO Bernard Marcus donated over $8 million to Trump’s election and reelection campaigns as a Republican megadonor.

7. VRBO or Booking.com instead of AirBnB
AirBnB cofounder Joe Gebbia joined Elon Musk’s DOGE team, prompting many customers and hosts to seek other platforms for vacation rentals in protest. Instead of AirBnB, try alternatives such as Vrbo or Booking.com
8. Local taxis or Lyft instead of Uber
If you need a ride and want to send a signal with your dollars, choose Lyft or a local cab company over Uber, which donated $1 million to Trump’s reelection. San Antonio has many local cab companies to choose from including Alamo City Taxi and San Antonio Taxi.
9. Local soap makers instead of Johnson & Johnson products
Johnson & Johnson donated $1 million to Trump’s reelection campaign. Instead of the corporation’s bath products, opt for local bath and body product makers such as SoilNature. Try local farmers markets to seek out other vendors who make their goods with natural ingredients.

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This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.