Answering a few FAQs on the Expansion Project
We’ve recently been fielding many questions from members and customers about our expansion plans. To sum up the rationale from my earlier newsletter articles, the pressing reason for a second store at this time is to relieve pressure on our current store while still having enough of a market to support a second store.
Q: I read recently that City Market is expanding. Does this mean that you are closing the Winooski Avenue store? The newspaper article I read was not clear.
A: The Co-op is planning to open a second store in addition to (not in place of) our current location.
Q: I'm disappointed that there won't be a Co-op food store in the Old North End. The community certainly needs access to healthy, local food options.
A: We are already starting to plan beyond the second location and are discussing an additional two future stores - one in the Old North End and another in Winooski. This planning will be further developed after we open up our second store. The stores will probably be smaller formats than either City Market or the second store… more like neighborhood grocery stores.
Q: Will both stores have similar products and selections?
A: Great question! The second store will be smaller so we will sell a representation of our top products. We are exploring the possibility of adding some unique features, such as a juice bar, to the second store.
Q: I think expansion is a great idea. How do other people feel?
A: The responses have been overwhelmingly positive in favor of expansion. Most folks are requesting the new store be in their neighborhood. The only disappointment we've heard so far are from residents of the Old North End and Winooski when we indicated that the market study favored Pine Street.
Q: Does this mean that Pine Street is a done deal?
A: Not at all. We still need to find an appropriate site.
There are so many opportunities that come to mind with a second store and so many reasons to be excited - opportunities for our employees, for members, for our local community partners and farmers, and opportunities for our classes and outreach capabilities.
You’ll have an opportunity this spring to give us your feedback! We haven’t surveyed our members and customers for quite a while. We try to be respectful of your time, while still really looking for your thoughtful feedback on how we’re doing. Please expect our survey (in a newsletter and in paper form, if you need it) later this spring and let us know what you’re thinking about City Market in general and about expansion opportunities.