Renovation Updates
December 22 , 2011
It’s Not Too Late to help: Support Our Member Loan Drive
Invest in your Co-op and the Concord community at large: Take part in our Member Loan Drive! We are seeking members whose principal residence is in the State of New Hampshire and who are capable and willing to lend their Cooperative money to help fund our exciting new renovation project. This project will transform our look, make shopping easier for all patrons, and create a safer and easier work environment for our employees.
But we need your help!
We aim to raise at least $450,000 to help offset the amount of loans needed for this project from outside lenders. The terms of the loans we are seeking from our members in the Offering Memorandum are $1,000 minimum, four- to 10-year terms with interest rates ranging from zero to 5 percent. The terms include payments of interest only: once a year in June for the first three years, and then principal and interest payments once a year starting in June of the fourth year. To be a part of this exciting project, please contact our Finance Manager Peter Deleault at 603-227-9696 or admin@concordfoodcoop.coop for more information or to obtain a Loan Offering Memorandum.
Construction has Begun! Renovation Forecast
Constuction began in earnest last month, and we want to thank all of our members and customers for their continued support of the store renovation. Thank you also for your continued patience and understanding during this transition and expansion process. You will be rewarded for all of the little inconveniences you are experiencing when the transformation is complete and your Co-op emerges as one of the most prominent and focal destinations on Main Street. You will already notice changes in the old UPS Store space, the side of the building, and our back loading dock. Construction is also underway in our currently unfinished basement. Our parking attendants are out there daily to help keep the traffic flow smooth and ensure that our customers can park comfortably amongst the construction, work vehicles, and delivery trucks.
While it is impossible to detail an exact timetable of what to expect in the next few months, we'll try to fill in what we can: In January/February, footings and steel supports will be installed at both the store front and the back corner of the lot. The steel in the front will be supporting the new façade and tower entryway while the construction in the rear of the lot will be prep work for the new loading dock and receiving addition as well as the new elevator.
Inside the store, work has already begun in our basement, which will be fully renovated to accommodate much-needed office space. In the coming months, you will see new equipment and fixtures being installed and existing equipment being reassigned as part of the overall remodel. We plan to reuse existing materials as much as possible, and we recently saved the Co-op thousands of dollars by purchasing some high-quality equipment at a local auction. In the store’s current retail space, you can also expect many changes to the layout of the store as the construction process demands. Of course we will do our best to minimize disruption, but please feel free to rely on our staff to assist you in locating your favorite items if they are no longer where you are accustomed to finding them.
Until then, there will be some chaos, a bit of stress, and more than likely some unforeseen challenges or delays that come with renovating any older property. During this hectic time, we ask that you continue to exhibit patience and tolerance and join us in anticipation of the completion of our new store.
October 20, 2011
Help Us Renovate the Co-op: Member Loan Drive
, we invite you to take part in supporting this important renovation project at your Co-op. An important source of that money will be member loans. Our Board of Directors has launched a campaign to raise member loans. You may recall a similar loan campaign back in 2004 and 2005 for our previous expansion at the Concord store. Back then, we successfully raised approximately $400,000 from our members.
Our Board of Directors has voted to raise the same amount, or more, through member loans for our current renovation. Please consider the pivotal role you could play in our Co-op’s future, and remember that a loan is not the same as a donation. These loans will be interest-bearing over a term of years and will be unsecured. The Board has organized a Loan Committee and will be providing more information to members in the future.
If you’re interested in supporting the Concord Co-op renovation, please call our Finance Manager, Pete Delault, at 603.227.9696 or email him at admin@concordfoodcoop.coop. He will provide you with more information, materials, and the Co-op’s Business Plan. Loans can only be accepted from members whose principal residence is in New Hampshire
Renovation Starting Soon
We’re thrilled to announce that our Concord store’s renovation will commence shortly. After more than a year of conversation, planning, and lots of prep, we all are excited to see the work begin. Reconstruction will begin on the store’s façade then move to our back receiving dock throughout the holiday season. Once the snow flies, we anticipate most of the work in our basement will take place. During the quieter months of the new year, more dramatic changes will begin to take shape on the store floor as we expand the deli, produce, bulk, and meat departments and relocate our registers to a central location.
We will remain open through all of the renovation phases, and we will do our best to minimize any disruption to your daily shopping. Products will likely need to shift around the store as construction warrants, so if you can’t locate an item, be sure to ask a staff member for help. We are committed to keeping the Co-op a great place to shop for your holiday and everyday grocery needs.
We apologize for any inconvenience the renovation process may cause, and we want you all to know how much we value you as members and customers of the Co-op. Without you there would be no Co-op! Please continue to shop at our store through this transition period, and you’ll be rewarded with a gloriously renovated store with a greater selection of healthy food and educational offerings, as well as improved, green design.
July 30, 2011
Members Approve Renovation at Special Meeting!
In a landslide vote, our Member-Owners have approved the renovation of our Concord building!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Yes: 330
No: 21
Thank you to everyone who came out and voted!
Q&A About Renovation:
When Will Renovation Begin? Depending on financing, the renovation may begin as early as Fall, 2011.
How Long Will the Renovation Take? Once it is begun, we expect the renovation to take approximately six to eight months to be completed.
Will the Store Close for Renovation? The store will not close during the renovation; however, some parts of the store will close down while being relocated to their new homes.
Will Prices Go Up? Concerns have been raised that this renovation will result in higher prices at the Co-op; however, this has never been our plan. Price fluctuations are driven by changes in such things as cost of goods, fuel costs, and commodity markets.
Will Parking Be Affected? Yes, there will be a small impact during construction, but once completed there will be no loss or gain of parking spaces.
Interested in contributing to the Member Loan program?
Please contact Nancy Girard, Board President
board@concordfoodcoop.coop
OR
Peter Deleault
admin@concordfoodcoop.coop or
603.227.9696
THANK YOU to all who those who have attended the meeting and board coffee, and focus groups and shared their thoughts with the staff while shopping!
July 1, 2011
Special Election Announced & Ballot Released!
We announced our Special Election for our Proposed Renovation Project and relased the Special Ballot. We encourage all members to vote in this upcoming election, which will culminate with a Membership Assembly on the deadline of Saturday, July 30, 8 am at the Concord Cooperative Market.
Click here to read an article about the renovation election and updated details from our July newsletter.
Ballot Question: I agree with the Board of Directors recommendation to allocate funds not to exceed $1,500,000 for the purpose of renovations, repairs, and the purchase of related equipment for the Concord Cooperative Market, located at 24 South Main Street, Concord, New Hampshire.
Who May Vote
Any individual who is a member. A member is an individual who owns at least one “A share” and 3 “B shares” in his or her own name, as shown on the records of the Concord Cooperative Market and Kearsarge Cooperative Grocer as of the close of business on July 19, 2011. If your spouse/partner owns the shares, your spouse/partner may vote, but you may not, even if you have a scan tag you show at the store register when you make a purchase. If you want to know whether or not you are an eligible voting member, call Finance Manager Pete Deleault at 60.227.9696.
How Do I Vote?
Paper ballots will be mailed to all active Member-Owners of the Cooperative, and will available for pick-up at all Co-op store locations beginning July 1, 2011.
After completing your ballot, you MUST place it into an envelope and write the following information on the sealed exterior flap:
• Your name as it appears on the Co-op’s membership roster
• Your member number
See the mailing label from your July Newsletter, or your member card (the series of five digits beginning with a zero) for this information or call the Concord store at 225-6840 for assistance.
A ballot without this verifying information will be considered invalid and will not be counted. Duplicates and ballots from members who are not eligible to vote will not be counted.
What about Voter Anonymity?
Your ballot must be securely sealed inside an envelope. Envelopes with voter identification information will remain sealed until the close of the voting period (8:00 am Saturday, July 30, 2011). Member names and numbers will be used only to verify the validity of each vote received and to eliminate duplicate ballots. At the close of the voting period, Board-appointed ballot counters working in pairs will separate each folded ballot from its envelope and put it into a collection of folded ballots until all successfully validated envelopes have been emptied. Only after the complete separation of ballots from their identifying envelopes will ballot counters open and count the ballots.
June 28, 2011
Co-op Board Recommends Renovation! Member Vote Soon
At a special meeting held tonight The Board of Directors unanimously voted to recommend approval of the store's renovation to the Member-Owners. A Member vote will be forthcoming in July. Look for further information from the Board about the balloting, informations sessions, and additional materials in support of the board's recommendation. Click here for the original e-announcement.
April 23, 2011
Coffee with a Board Member: An Opportunity to Ask Questions & Share Ideas
Join Board Member Gail Fayre in our Café to talk about all things Co-op including the proposed expansion. Free coffee and pastry will be available. From 9-10:30 am at the Concord Co-op.
March 30, 2011
Member-Owner Information Session on the Proposed Concord Store Expansion
Since our last public session in September 2010, the Board and Management team have been working to develop a plan to present to Member-Owners for discussion. This is a second opportunity to meet with members of the Co-op's Board of directors and learn more about the current status of the proposed expansion, planning that has occurred to date, and the next steps for this proposed project. A draft floor design has been available in-store since February 19. If you have not yet had opportunity to view them, please stop by the store. The plans will also be available for review at this meeting. If you can't make this meeting, feel free to email expansion@concordfoodcoop.coop with your ideas. As Co-op Member-Owners, you have an important voice for the future of our store. We look forward to seeing you there.
March 1, 2011
Draft Makeover Conceptual Plans Released in Co-op Newsletter
Click here to view the newsletter article by General Manager Paula Harris and view draft blueprints.
October 1, 2011
What's Next with the New Space at the Co-op? Article in the Co-op Newsletter
Click here to view the newsletter article by Board Member Betsy Black about what we should do now that the UPS Store has decided not to renew their lease.
September 15, 2010
Board Approves Moving Foward with Renovation Plans
Following several months of discussion; dialogue with members via comments, two electronic surveys and a focus group session; a market study; and initial exploration of feasibility by the Co-op management, the Board of Directors is happy to report its unanimous endorsement made at the September 15 monthly board meeting.
BOARD VOTE:
The Board has considered several options for the utilization of the former UPS store space, and is in favor of incorporating this space into the rest of the store, along with reconfiguring the store entrance. The Board is also in favor of structural and facade improvements to the building.
The specific costs and scope of these actions will be the subject of a future board vote that will precede a member vote. The General Manager is directed to proceed with the next steps of expanding into the available space. We will continue to keep you, our members, informed about this exciting development for our Co-op. Stay tuned!
September 11, 2010
Discussion with Our Design Team
Should the Co-op expand? If so, how? Sit down with our General Manager, our Board, and architect Jonathan Halle to influence the direction of our Co-op. Let us know what you want, share your comments and thoughts. Free. No registration necessary.
August 1, 2010
Considering Renovation in the Board Bulletin of the Co-op Newlsetter
Click here to view the article by Board Treasurer John Warner.
September 23, 2009
We Own It! Co-op Purchases Concord Building
Following the member approval of the purchase, the Co-op officially signed papers to purchase the building occupied by the Concord Co-op and the UPS Store.
September 9, 2009
Members Approve Purchase of Concord Co-op Building
In a landslide vote, the Co-op membership approves the purchase of the the building currently occupied by the Concord Cooperative Market at 24 South Main Street.