Summer is in Session
By John Tashiro, General Manager
Summer is here along with all its glory. It’s so incredible to see the plethora of activities and events in and around Burlington this time of year. The non-stop continuum of fun filled festivities creates an abundance of excitement that can be felt all summer long!
It’s been just over year since we announced our plans to build a store in the South End in what we consider to be our first phase of expansion. The reception from you, our Members and the broader community, has been incredibly supportive and we remain on schedule to open next summer!
Since our announcement, we have and will continue to listen and learn from everyone about wants and concerns. We’ve attended at least one Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) across all of Burlington’s 8 Wards and even more so with Ward 5 where the store will be located, along with numerous meetings with the neighborhood, businesses, organizations and residents on a one-to-one basis. We held two community engagement sessions in April where we shared our most updated store and parking lot design plans. The sessions were very well attended with over 70 people each evening in attendance and we greatly appreciated your questions along with your vote regarding the external metal panels and the pixilated photo themes for the external store design. You can find all the latest information within the expansion section of our website.
We have also worked closely with the City over the last twelve months and successfully attained a zoning amendment allowing the development of a grocery store at the location along with a demolition permit for the removal and cleanup of the buildings, which will have just finished. We are currently progressing through the permitting process having already met with the City’s Technical Review committee, Conservation Board and Design Advisory Board. We presented a detailed plan around the design and layout of the store inclusive of the aesthetics, parking lot, storm water, traffic flow and general infrastructure to address questions and seek input.
In addition, you may have heard our recent exciting news with plans for a store in the Old North End. Signifying the Co-op’s origins and its 43 year history, the location is the former auto parts store at 242-244 North Winooski Avenue right next to the Central Market and across from the McClure Multigenerational Center. We have heard from you, our Members, voice for the Co-op’s presence in the Old North End and felt this was a fantastic opportunity to provide greater access to healthy fresh food options for the community. We tentatively signed a lease agreement with Redstone for this space and have until October 24, 2016 to conduct some additional due diligence before committing to the full term of the lease. The space includes 6,000 square feet upstairs with an additional 6,000 square feet in the basement and a 2,000 square foot outbuilding. If we were to move forward, we anticipate opening as early as the fall of 2017, following the planned grand opening of the South End store.
As always, thank you all for your continued support. We are committed to serving you, our Members and the community. We look forward to seeing you at the Co-op and wish you the very best of summer!