First Alternative Co-op Expansion
Monday, April 20, 2009
The First Alternative Co-op has been in the process of expanding its north store, and now it’s done. Over the course of expansion, they have doubled the size of their retail space. In fact, the north store now has more retail space then their original store, the south store.
Evelyn Hall, the store manager, says the store has been a part of the neighborhood for almost six years now. She feels the expansion will be very convenient for customers of the co-op, as the north store will now have everything the south store has.
Hall says they have gotten very little negative feedback about the expansion. Mostly, customers are excited. Hall’s favorite thing about the expansion seems to be either the many flavors of sesame sticks or the new salad bar.
The north store has a number of new features. One of those is the new self-serve salad bar. Many new products are coming to the store with the expansion. Even a self-serve espresso machine is installed.
Hall also noted one of the biggest improvements to the store is all the back stock area and the actual loading zone. For the past six years, they have had to use the parking lot for deliveries. They also have an actual food prep area, in the past the best they had was basically a hallway according to Hall.
Michelle Eaumann, a customer of the co-op, said “I don’t have to go to south town.” She says the store has more things and she loves the new train sets for her child to play with. “It seems brighter,” she said.
Suse Willis, an employee at the co-op for eight years, likes almost everything about the expansion. The deli, the salad bar, the train set, the new products, and the fact that the customers do not have to go all the way to south town for their shopping needs. Her favorite thing are “the new windows in the back of the store.” She feels the hardest thing about the expansion is getting used to the new layout.
The co-op will be hosting a grand opening for the north store on May 1, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Comment
What a beautiful young lady in the picture!
— Bill Hall · May 26, 09:33 PM · #
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