PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Food Co-Op board hopes to expand the store by 2,495 square feet in 2017.
Exactly where the expansion will be at the building at 414 Kearney St. and how much it will cost is still to be decided.
The goal is to present a plan to the Co-Op board of directors in early 2017. Once the board approves the plan, members will be asked to consider approval of the plan before funding can be secured, according to a news release.
The site of the current 12,405-square-foot store was originally a bowling alley and has been added to periodically since the Co-Op moved into the space in 2001.
Co-Op members hope to expand to 14,900 square feet, adding more work space for staff and more space for shoppers and produce, according to the news release.
“The expansion will not be large, but it will enable us to make the space much more functional and comfortable,” said Lisa Barclay, secretary of the Food Co-Op board, in the release.
The Port Townsend Food Co-op, which began in 1972, is a full-service organic foods market. The cooperative is owned by members.
Co-Op members began considering possible relocation or renovation in 2015. They had faced a similar situation in 2000 at their previous location, the old bus barn in Port Townsend’s uptown, but ended up raising $492,500 to renovate and move into the current downtown location.
The Co-Op grew into its new space and now works with 127 local vendors, including 47 farmers, board members said, adding that they expect sales of more than $14 million in 2016.
Relocation was considered, board members said, but decided that the time and energy already put into the current location made renovation more attractive.
“We love our location,” Barclay said. “Over the years we’ve added here and improved there, but we’ve never been able to do a thorough remodel, redesigning the space to fit our specific needs as a community grocery store and deli.”
Co-Op board members will begin working with a store designer to work out a plan for an expansion to the back rooms later this fall, they said.
They also will consider mechanical and electrical components to ensure that they will be able to keep up with the proposed expansion.
The Co-Op board expects to post time lines and project information on its website at http://foodcoop.coop/ later this week and will discuss the proposed expansion with the public at the Co-Op board meetings, which are held the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at 2110 Lawrence St., in Port Townsend.
________
Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Port Townsend Co-Op is looking to expand and remodel its space on Kearney Street. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)
