Still the Co-op
By Vic Getz, from
the February newsletter In
the November newsletter, the column I wrote looked back over
the last 20 years.
This column looks in the other direction, toward
the future and the upcoming move to a new space previously known
as Gart’s Sports previously known as Safeway. Remember when
it was a Safeway? Many do. I found that out as I did an informal
survey of people’s reactions to the news of the move. I wanted
to get a sense of what people thought about it and what they’d
like the new space to have that our current space lacks.
Mary
Geary loves the idea of the move since she always wanted it in
the old Safeway. The reality of more space and thus more seating
appeals to her. “It’s always crowded,” she said.
One good reason for the move: to accommodate more people who love
to shop and eat at the Co-op. She also hopes that the Holiday Bazaar
will be brought back. How about a play space for kids?
Bill
Kirsch likes the present location since he can walk to it from
work but acknowledges, “I can adjust.” You go,
Bill!
Fiona
Black thinks that the Co-op Board has made some really good choices
in the past that have led to the Co-op becoming
a more
integral part of the community. “It used to be just granolas
but now it’s everyone. A bigger space is great so they can
have more good things.”
As
I sat in the deli eavesdropping on conversations, the move was
a definite topic of interest. One man, whom I’ll call “Unknown
Regular Shopper Guy” came in asking about it and made the
observation that “It’s a big building.” His take
was that the Third St. location is functional but “I’m
not against the move. Other people know a lot better than I do.”
That
may be true. And though the survey I did was far from “scientific” the
consensus was support for the change. The least enthusiastic response
was guarded support.
Debbie
Storr says that though she’s disappointed that Garts
isn’t going to be there, the Co-op definitely needs more
space. With that, they could have interesting Co-op activities
that aren’t just retail oriented, like classes that introduce
new ways of cooking with new kinds of foods.
Cat
Rodrigues thinks it’s a good idea especially because
the seating for the deli can be expanded. She’s heading to
Australia for two years in February so by the time she gets back,
she’ll have a brand new place to sit. Ideally that will include
a really nice outdoor seating area. Very important to Co-op culture.
Stephanie
Hrbacek, known to many of you as the Co-op’s volunteer
Friday Night Sample Lady, said she’d just walked past Garts
and lamented the lack of windows. But, offsetting that was her
opinion that it’ll be nice to have a bigger space that will
bring more jobs. She also voiced concerns about what’s going
to happen to the current space since it’s become such a vibrant
corner.
Like
many others, she says that the seating area for the deli really
needs expansion. “Everybody comes here to eat. That’s
one of the best parts of the Co-op.” Chendra, her 2 ½ year
old daughter concurred. I asked her if she likes the Co-op. “Yeah,” she
said with an “of course, silly” shrug. “Well,
why do you like it?” I asked. Her answer summarized what
anyone else might say if asked that silly question.
“Because
I do!!”
So,
there’s a sampling of customer reactions to the news
of the move. If you’ve got ideas for what you’d like
to see at the new space, let staff and the board know. Who knows
what dreams can be realized? If you can also dip into your pockets
to help meet the member loan portion of the move (See Kenna Eaton’s
article in this newsletter), all the better. Put your money where
you mouth is…while you enjoy a bigger and better Co-op experience.
Vic
Getz doesn’t believe that bigger is always better but
she’s got confidence that in this case, the spirit that embodies
the Co-op will be enhanced by the changes we’re seeing. The
more the merrier. Move over. Let’s make room.
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