Co-op Soon to Open

After much waiting and decision-making, board members hope the Allegany Harvest Co-op will open for business March 15, now that renovations for an expanded floor space have begun.

Almost a year since recruitment for new members began, the Co-op, seeking to provide local, sustainable, and healthy products, will share the space with Our Common Ground on Route 19 in what used to be the Citgo Mini-Mart.

After a member petition and a meeting in January, the board decided to move ahead with a floor plan with approximately 40% more retail space than the current available space. Feeling a "duty to represent the wishes of the members of the Co-op," Peter Meilaender, President of the Allegany Harvest Co-op Board of Directors, said the board reversed their original decision to remain with the smaller space in favor of the 865-square foot floor plan.

"We still have some questions about what this means in terms of whether we can get the building done, and also pay for the equipment, and pay to stock it and get everything ready by the time we want to start," he said. He also asserted, however, that they have an approved bank loan and the funds. If the members remain committed to shopping, he said, "then I think it will work."

The next crucial step needed to move the Co-op closer to opening was hiring a general manager. According to Meilaender, Barbara Adams, who worked in management at the Genesee Country Museum in Mumford, was hired and began work with the Co-op Monday.

From the very beginning, the Co-op was meant to specialize in local, organic, healthy, and sustainable products. This has drawn a variety of members, from Meilaender, whose children's food allergies and intolerances require him to drive to the Buffalo area to purchase food once a week, to Lynn Bliven, another board member and owner of Wild Geese Farm, who works with helping farmers extend their opportunities for year-round markets.

The Co-op has also drawn Houghton students, who account for over 10% of the Co-op's total membership. Sophomore Emily Wenger, who said she was excited to purchase local produce, said she also looks forward to the convenience of having a store so close by. Even current seniors, who may only enjoy only a month or two of the Co-op, have become members. Joyce Taylor, while looking forward to the local products and close proximity, explained she didn't mind becoming a member with the possibility of only a few months of shopping at the Co-op.

"I knew that by joining I would be helping support it for people who weren't going to be here," she said.

Member-owners voice their hopes that the Co-op will be a positive influence on the community. Ginny Routhe, project manager, said they are committed to working to provide products not readily available in the area, as well as to supporting local producers who do not have good outlets to sell their products. By supporting local producers, Meilaender said the Co-op will be supporting the local economy.

Senior Gordon Brown said he was drawn to the Co-op because "it's better for Allegany, better for the farmers, better for us. It's more sustainable -- a more equitable means of living."

Bridgette Tojek, board member, said that with renovations underway, the general manager hired, and a distributor and local vendors lined up, everyone is "working hard to open as soon as possible." Preparing for March 15 is not the only concern for the small Co-op either. Meilaender explained that when a market study was conducted for the Co-op, the consultant said a co-op was feasible, but it would have to be a small one. Several red flags were raised; Routhe explained that the Houghton area has lower per-capita income, as well as a smaller percentage of college-educated people. However, she remains confident, citing the fact that failure rates for co-ops are much lower because of member commitment.

With regards to the opening of the Co-op, Meilaender said, "I don't think this is a fail-safe venture." However, he was quick to add, "I do feel that we have a lot of enthusiasm and excitement among the members...I feel confident about the prospects of the store, and I'm looking forward to seeing it open."

More information about the Co-op can be found at http://alleganyharvest.coop.