A Director's Chair

Right here, right now

by Lynne Lekakis

You’ve heard the old adage, “Measure twice, Cut once.” Well, around the coop, we have another, “Plan, then plan again.”

Our job is to find out what you value and then strategize how we can take ourselves in that direction. What do we want? What does each of us want? What do factions of us want? What do most of us want? What is the common denominator? What are the bones of contention? How often does that change?

With each step we take, the learning gets deeper. Not only do we learn about the Coop — as a functioning, living organism and as a natural foods grocery store — but we learn about each other, our community and, ultimately, about ourselves. Discourse, for the hell of it, doesn’t mean much. Taking the time to talk things out, particularly when you don’t understand them or are afraid of them or some combination of both, can be really enlightening. There is no other way to gain insight to all the opinions than to try to hear them and provide as many opportunities as possible to share them.

Of late, the Strategic Planning committee (Board, management, staff and members) has been trying to find a site for a second store. We had a retreat some months ago to help clarify what that meant. To those who participated in the retreat and to other members who have voiced their opinions at meetings since then, it means something like this:

• Do not let the current store be jeopardized. Our history is here, and Albany is the heart of our market and our community.
• Do not let a second store be that much better equipped or better looking than our “anchor” store at 484 Central Avenue.
• Do not go that far out on a limb; continue our conservative growth and success.
• Keep our eye on the mission and statements of conscience. A second store should:
• Be to the north, within 15 miles of 484 Central.
• Have easy truck access and be close to a highway.
• Have compatible zoning and positive support from the community.
• Be 20–28,000 square feet (roughly twice as big as we are now), with the idea that we want to maintain the feel and community aspect of a small store, yet have flexibility to grow a little. (Conventional grocery stores on Central Avenue, for example, are 45– 50,000 square feet, give or take).
• Be square, optimally; have a loading dock and at least 160 parking spaces.
• Have some green space nearby.
• Be made of green materials for remodeling/building and retrofitting, if possible, with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing/reusing/ recycling whenever possible.
• Be affordable, in the sense that the business plan will allow it to sustain itself within a reasonable amount of time without relying on income from 484 Central.

In the interim, we have not stopped looking in our immediate vicinity for more options for our Albany self. We have been extremely lucky not only having economical rent at 484 Central, but our survival has been due in part to the Clearview Center, our neighbor. They open their parking lot for us every evening, weekend and holiday. We know that we are responsible renters who want to make a contribution to the Central Avenue area, and wish to make more of a permanent commitment. We are the epitome of keeping the money and the investment local, and we want to keep it that way. If we are to live our mission of promoting “equitable, participatory, and ecologically sustainable ways of living,” then we must start right here in Albany.

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