| FAQ's
Kenna Eaton, General Manager, from the February
2004 newsletter
Q:
Why does it cost so much to move the Co-op to the new building?
A: The new building is not so new. It was built in 1960 as a Safeway
grocery store. While the building is sound, it will likely need
an upgrade of the electrical and plumbing systems. We will need
to build walk-in coolers, a complete kitchen, bakery, and offices
-- as well as flooring and painting and lots more. We are budgeting
$1 million for these renovations and for the new products and
for the move itself. We may not need all that money, but it would
be good to have it available if we do run into serious renovation
problems, for example.
Q:
The Co-op moved in 1999, and now will move in 2005. How long
will the Co-op stay at this new building?
A: Forever, I hope. There is no other building
in downtown Moscow that is better for us. We have been fantasizing
this old Safeway
store for years. And the Co-op will not move again after this.
If we start to outgrow this store, ten years from now, we might
consider opening a second store, perhaps in Pullman – but
I do not see us moving the Co-op ever again.
Q:
Raising $350,000 in loans from Co-op members sounds difficult.
Can we do it?
A: Yes, I am convinced we can. First, we have
the strength of our Co-op and our excellent track record in growth
and repayment
of
earlier loans (including the member loans from our 1998/1999
move). Second, we can rely on our 3,000 member families and the
larger
supportive community. Third, loaning money to the Co-op is a
sound financial decision, since the 4 to 6 % annual interest
is better
than you will get for a CD or bank savings account. Fourth, MaryJo
Knowles is coordinating the loan program and she can be very
persuasive (contact MaryJo at 882-0251).
Q:
Why didn’t all the
members get to vote on making this move?
A: The short answer is that the Co-op’s
board of directors is responsible for the decision and empowered
to decide without
a member vote. The long answer is that we have learned that involving
the membership in these complex, secretive, financial negotiations
is not a good idea. Setting up a membership meeting adds weeks
to what can be a tight schedule, and making everything public too
early can result in hurt feelings, disappointment and anger.
Q:
Why is this happening now?
A: For two reasons – first, our lease at our present location
is up in September this year and second, the lease at the future
store became available in January when Garts decided to leave Moscow.
The Garts building is not likely to be available again, at a time
when we are more “ready” to move. And we had to decide
whether or not to commit to our present site for another five or
more years. It was a great opportunity, one we could not pass up.
Q:
Can I volunteer to help with the renovation?
A: Yes, please do. At this time, we do not know
any specifics about the renovation project, who will be hired
to do the work,
or how
volunteers can be incorporated into the job. And given a strict
timeline and liability concerns, we may not be able to use many
volunteers for renovation work. I would assume that we will need
a huge number of volunteers to move inventory, however. To volunteer,
please fill out the form at the bottom of the yellow flyer in
the January newsletter or talk to me at the Co-op.
Q:
What is the difference in size between the new building and
the present Co-op?
A: At 15,000 square feet, the new building is almost exactly
twice as large as our present Co-op. At the new site, we will
have the
30 car off-street parking lot all to ourselves.
Q:
I worry that the Co-op will not feel like the Co-op if it gets
too big.
A: We are all aware of that issue, and assure
you that the new Co-op will still be the good old Moscow Food Co-op.
The staff is
not going to change, the products won’t change, and the same
shoppers will keep coming. What will be different is that there
will be enough room for new products, bargains from volume sales,
more live music and readings on our own Deli stage, and more space
for the conversation and interaction that makes the Co-op so much
a part of our lives.
Q:
What is the timeline for this project?
A: The lease (for 15 years) was signed in January. We are now
arranging for architects and contractors. Demolition should
begin in February.
The renovation should be done by the end of July. We will move
in early August and open for business there before school starts.
We have until the end of September to clean up the present store
and vacate.
Q:
Is the Co-op now growing just for the sake of growing?
A: Moving to this new location is not mindless growth. The new
store will actually be the appropriate size for the Moscow Food
Co-op. We will have the space to do what we want to do. We will
still be downtown. We will be able to continue and expand the
programs we have developed (like the 2% Tuesdays grant program)
to benefit
the community. And perhaps most important, we will be able to
benefit more local producers (by marketing their produce) and
more shoppers
and members (by supplying better food at less cost).
Q:
I’ve heard the Co-op called an anchor store for downtown – what
does that mean?
A: At a mall or retail shopping area, the anchor
stores are the big retail stores that serve as magnets to draw
customers to the
area to shop at the smaller stores nearby. For the downtown Moscow
shopping area, the Moscow Food Co-op is the anchor store. And that
is not just my opinion. According to the Latah Economic Development
Council’s recent shopper survey, "All year long, the
number one reason people come to downtown Moscow is to shop at
the Moscow Food Co-op." With our move to the larger location,
we will be fulfilling that role even more effectively, and thus
helping bring more vitality to downtown Moscow.
Q:
What has been the response of Co-op members and Moscow residents
to the news of this move?
A: Everyone I talk to has been excited and supportive. And people
ask me about this wherever I go in town. They all welcome the
idea of the Co-op moving into the Garts store. |
