All Over Albany

Troy Food Co-op now aiming to open in the fall

The Troy Food Co-op announced today that construction will begin on the old Pioneer Market June 1 -- and the new co-op is aiming to open this fall. (Full release after the jump.)

The org didn't actually own the building until just this week. The co-op says the property was being held by one of the market's founders, Alane Hohenberg. It says it closed on the property Monday.

The co-op had been hoping to start construction earlier this year and open this summer. Apparently it took a little longer to line up the funding, which includes a mix of private and public money.

Downtown Troy hasn't had a supermarket since 2005.

Update: The Record's Cecelia Martinez has more details.

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TROY FOOD CO-OP TO OPEN IN FALL 2010

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS JUNE 1

Troy--The revitalization of Downtown Troy took a major step forward with today's announcement by the Troy Community Food Cooperative that it has taken title on the property that will become its home: the former Pioneer Food Market, at 77-81 Congress Street. The community has come together as member-owners of the Co-op to raise over $230K in equity and loans in the current tough economy to meet their needs for access to food. Construction at the $2.5 million project begins on June 1. The store is scheduled to open Fall 2010.

The announcement was made to member-owners on Monday by Wayne Metsch, President of the Troy Community Food Cooperative Board of Directors, immediately following the closing on the property. "We are elated," Mr. Metsch stated, "For the first time in more than five years, downtown Troy will have a full-service grocery store." Although we are member owned, all can shop at the Pioneer Market." He added that the drive for at least 300 more member-owners by opening will be re-invigorated by this announcement.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors and member-owners, I want to recognize our funding partners, especially our lead partner, Pioneer Bank," added Mr. Metsch. Along with Capital Bank, SEFCU, First Niagara Bank, the Capital District Community Loan Fund, the Cooperative Fund of New England, the Rensselaer County Job Development Program, and the Empire State Development Corporation's Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund, this project will happen. I also want to acknowledge significant support from the Howard and Bush Foundation National Grid, and other foundations that recognized the need to bring back a full-service food market in downtown Troy."

The Pioneer Food Market - vacant since 2005 - has been held for the Co-op by longtime Troy resident and Co-op founder, Alane Hohenberg. The Co-op's purchase of the building yesterday sets in motion the realization of the dream Ms. Hohenberg shares with more than 700 co-op member-owners. "The Co-op will become a vital economic center for urban Troy by providing healthy and affordable food, a market for local agriculture, jobs and training for the community, and an impetus for economic revitalization on Congress Street, noted Ms. Hohenberg. The business will create 21 jobs in the first year and 40 jobs after five years."

The Troy Community Food Cooperative has received significant support from Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, Troy City Council, County Executive Kathy Jimino, the Rensselaer County Legislature.