All Over Albany

Prediction: Honest Weight Food Coop will be no-more within 5 years. I support them and their mission, but I just don't think this move is in the best long-run interest of the organization. Any new customers the coop was hoping to attract with their new store and parking lot are going to be more than offset by customers they lose due to the new location being further from where people live, right next to a lot of competitors, and not on a bus route.

... said Jackers on Jul 30, 2012 at 5:28 PM | link

It is actually on a bus route. Albeit the bus doesn't stop directly in front of the store, but it's only a 5 minute walk. :-)

... said J on Jul 31, 2012 at 9:41 AM | link

Once upon a time the number 2 bus had a stop right in front of the store. It's just one of the many things that has changed since the conception of this project.

This can go one of two ways.

1) It can be the death knell for a beloved institution as expenses grow and they face increased financial pressure to pay off their debts.
2) It's proximity to the highway turns it into destination shopping for all the food lovers of the Capital Region.

The second option would be great. It happened with Whole Foods back in the day. But for that to occur here, the co-op cannot just remain what it is in simply a fancier setting with more parking. It will need to extend its appeal to a broader audience.

For one, that would mean a fresh (vs. frozen) meat case, certainly with items that are ethically raised, but perhaps without the hyper-local focus of the current iteration.

It would also be great to see them bring in sustainable seafood, improve their cheese counter, and have an in-house bakery. This way they can be a one stop shop.

But it's still an open question if they can pull this off. And frankly, I'm surprised this is a risk people associated with the co-op have been willing to take.

... said Daniel B. on Jul 31, 2012 at 2:15 PM | link

Actually, the bus does stop right in front of the store. It even has a shelter. It's route 125 with a green dot behind it on the sign.

... said Amy on Jul 31, 2012 at 5:36 PM | link

As a COOP member, I think this is a risk worth taking and believe the equity built from owning a building, rather than sinking the money into a lease, is a prudent long term solution, granting us more flexibility in the structure of the store. Furthermore, sales have been growing, despite the recession. Having shopped at the COOP for over 8 years, I have seen phenomenal growth and the current building is bursting at the seams, despite the limited parking. I often talk to folks who have shopped at the COOP on an occassional basis, but find the tough parking a bear, and believe the new location will bring this additional foot traffic in. Granted, competition is getting stiffer, but the homey atmosphere and democratic nature of the COOP will continue to attract folks who appreciate knowing where and how their food is produced, something difficult to find at a Whole Foods or Shop Rite.

... said Rich on Aug 1, 2012 at 9:02 AM | link

I worry that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods will eat away any of the new customers they expected to attract with this move.

Trader Joe's and Whole Foods will become destination shops, but probably not the Co-op.

This is unfortunate because I love the Co-op.

... said Jay on Aug 1, 2012 at 10:40 AM | link

It's interesting to note the relationship between the positive or negative nature of these comments and the "we" or "they" orientation of the commenter.

... said KM on Aug 1, 2012 at 11:13 AM | link

In the CO-OP's case, smaller is better - unique reuse of a building, crowded or cozy?, jockeying for parking spots - it is an experience, and you get great produce too! I almost wish they were back on Quail Street but that was really too small. Stay where you are for as long as you can - and one of these days I will join when I can afford the $100 membership fee.

... said Uncle Laurie on Aug 1, 2012 at 12:19 PM | link

With Trader Joe's opening in a couple days, and with Whole Foods on the way - I'm cringing at what the Wolf Road traffic will be like. It's already bad enough. Especially once holiday season hits.

If Honest Weight wins anything in the local foodstore wars (outside of comparing apples to... a broader organic local selection of apples) it's that they have now made it a lot more convenient for me to drop in for food than what the Wolf Road traffic mess is now, and what it's about to turn into.

... said Lola on Aug 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM | link

I used to be able to afford shopping for certain things at the coop. Not anymore. It has become a place for yuppies and dinks (double income no kids). I wish it were not so...I still will go there for the few items I ALWAYS have used.
I hope those that can afford to support them, still will do so.

... said Frogjumper on Aug 1, 2012 at 5:45 PM | link

I eat a lot of the products the coop sells. But I usually don't buy them there. Why?

1) Price. They are more expensive.

2) Customer service. I don't enjoy going there. I've never had that problem at the Whole Foods I go to. Or even the new Shoprite which is markedly different from how the employees at Hannaford treat people.

I wish the new coop all the best but I think they will need to act like they want people's business if they are going to succeed. In my years of going there, I've never really experienced that. I feel like they think they are doing me a favor by letting me shop there. Other that the cheese department. But cheese lovers are generally good people so that is no surprise.

And they should carry some beer and wine. Because everyone else does.

... said Code Monkey on Aug 1, 2012 at 5:45 PM | link

@ Code Monkey, the new store will carry beer (chiefly local, craft, and organic options). The license is tricky to acquire and would not have been transferable from its current location to the new one, so we decided to wait. Unfortunately, NY short sightedly doesn't allow grocers to sell wine, so no luck there, even for the new Trader Joes.

... said Dick on Aug 2, 2012 at 9:11 PM | link