On Sunday, December 8 at noon, we closed our store at 1355 Exchange, saying goodbye to a beloved space that we’ve outgrown. This place is an important part of the co-op’s 45-year history. It helped nourish us in many ways for a decade. More than just a place to get groceries, it has been a source of steady income for local farmers and donations for non-profits. We have seen our own children and those who frequent the store grow up right before our eyes. It’s where we connected regularly with cool people in our community.

Our old store provided good jobs and a lively work culture. The little office in the back was crammed with ten workstations and also served as a break room and receiving area. As you can probably imagine, our staff is looking forward to not having to wheel groceries through the front door in the rain and having a nice place to relax and eat lunch without interruptions. Our new building will offer these amenities, but many of us will kind of miss the bonds and energy that came with a small crew and such close quarters.

Now we’ve nearly doubled our workforce in what feels like overnight. Much credit goes to our general manager, Matt Stanley, for wanting to preserve the special work culture that we created at our old store. Using a model from another co-op, he articulated this culture in a training and management document called “the co-op way”. It spells out how we treat one another like saying “hi” and not talking behind people’s backs. It reminds us to be “in the know” about things happening in the store and to strive to be high-achieving.

This is just one example of how your co-op and all the good things it embodies will live on, as we reopen at our new home. There are so many memories our old store on Exchange holds, but we will now have to carry them in our heads and hearts as we grow.

Our brand new building at 2350 Marine Drive in Astoria opens on Wednesday, December 11 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. More info…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2019

Re: New Store Opening

Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned, December 11

Astoria Co+op’s vision for a bigger new store becomes a reality as it opens the doors to its new space on Wednesday December 11 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.

The co-op’s newly constructed 12,000 square foot building at 2350 Marine Drive will provide four-times more space, plenty of parking, and new amenities. Every department is expanding, with a focus on fresh and a deli which will feature a hot bar, salad bar, and made-to-order foods.

“Shoppers with any dietary restriction or preference will be able to find something they love. My busy family will be trusting the organic produce and quality meats we use in the deli when making dinner can’t happen,” Co-op General Manager Matt Stanley said.

The expansion fulfills a major goal of the co-op’s five-year strategic plan which aims to create a welcoming community store and thriving local economy. The plan, adopted by the co-op’s board of directors in 2014, included extensive outreach and reflected strong public support for expansion.

The co-op raised more than $2 million in local investments from its consumer-owners. This successful capital campaign was instrumental in leveraging additional financing to make the $10-million project possible.

The new location is the former home of Astoria Plywood Mill, a worker-owned co-op. The mill shut down in the late 1980’s and the City of Astoria embarked on a major environmental cleanup so the area could be redeveloped into a mixed-use neighborhood.

The co-op, formerly known as “The Community Store,” opened 45 years ago at a storefront near the Columbian Café on Marine Drive in Astoria. While the co-op has grown and evolved over the years, it’s focus on natural, organic and local foods remains the same. The co-op is a community-owned grocery store and all shoppers are welcome, no membership needed.

The co-op’s current location at 1355 Exchange Street in Astoria will close after Sunday, December 8. The co-op plans to hold a moving sale this week, discounting groceries, in order to sell down its inventory.

While the December 11 opening is considered a “soft opening” the co-op encourages everyone to come check out the new store. A grand opening celebration is being planned for January.

Media Contact: Marketing Director, Zetty Nemlowill

[email protected]

(503) 791-8869-cell

We’re stocking shelves, testing recipes and putting the finishing touches on your new store and can hardly wait to welcome you inside so you can check it out! Our new location at 2350 Marine Dr. in Astoria will open on Wednesday, December 11 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. The co-op’s last day at the current location at 1355 Exchange will be Sunday, December 8. We will be having a moving sale, so stay tuned for details!