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Remodeling for a Bit
of Breathing Room
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by Cindee Lolik, Operations
& Administrative Coordinator
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Back in the fall of 2007,
the Collective Management decided that the present store configuration
and floor space would not serve the membership, the customers or our
staff for the next year-and-a-half that we are at this location. We
asked the membership in the budgetary vote of January 2008 for the
money to pursue converting what we were using as the primary warehouse
into retail space and this was approved.
Over the course of the next several months Steve Kroeger, resident
artist and maintenance person, worked on converting the unfinished
warehouse space at the rear of our building into a new warehouse for
receiving and storing product. He was assisted in this by member
electrician Dick Kavanaugh, formerly of the HABA department and his
nephew Justin Cavanaugh; Steve Lamica of the Produce department; and
various member workers and staff member, including Jaime Malcolm,
Brandon Bissell-Evans, Ken Jacobie, Michael Zalob, Brian Peters, David
Jimenez, Garrett French and so many others.
When the area was finally ready to begin receiving goods, concentration
on the remodel turned to the space we all used to refer to as the
“Boathouse.” The old produce cooler was dismantled and now resides with
Chris Kemnah of Otter Hook Farm; the Produce department moved out and
set up shop next to their new cooler, which was expanded to accommodate
their growing sales, we thank them for being willing to make the long
trek from their back stock cooler to the Produce department to
accommodate this remodel; the Education & Outreach prep and storage
area relocated to the rear warehouse and the Grocery department
relocated their back stock.
At this point real remodeling work began, the floor was patched and
smoothed, the HABA back stock area/ office was expanded; the walls were
painted by staff member Lorilee Bird and member Colleen Cox; the floor
was stained with Soy Crete concrete stain, and sealed with a zero VOC
floor sealant by Steve K, Lorilee and Colleen. Once the floor was
dried, an experience that took three times as long as first predicted,
the HABA and Bulk departments began setting shelves and getting ready
for their moves.
All the work above was pretty much behind the scenes until Bulk made
their big move the week of September 22. They completed their
transition to the new space over the next week and the result has been
awesome, nice wide aisles for customers to work in and the Bulk back
stock area is only a short distance away. HABA (Health and Beauty
Aids), which is now known as the Wellness department, made their move
on the weekend of October 4, allowing the Produce department to spread
out and make shopping much easier for all.
Additionally, the Co-op has added two new (used) dairy coolers and a
new (used) freezer in the new retail area, expanding our selection of
these products. Pet foods and cleaning supplies, along with paper goods
have also relocated to the new space.
And there is more to come. At the time this article is being written,
the Grocery department is still moving into their new space vacated by
Bulk and there will be some new changes in the Cheese & Specialty
Foods department, including a new three-door meat freezer and the reuse
of one of the old dairy coolers for eggs. The Deli will also be getting
a new line up—we will be installing a new twodoor bakery case, moving
the coffee station to the area in front of the deli next to the bakery
case, the soup station will also be relocating to this area.
We’re all excited about the coming holiday season and hope that you all
enjoy the new space. Happy shopping!
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