People's Food Co-op looks to expand into new Ann Arbor location

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 | Source: Concentrate

The People's Food Cooperative in Ann Arbor is shopping for new space downtown. But it's casually shopping.

The storefront grocery co-op specializes in natural, organic, free-trade and environmentally friendly food and products. It has been in business for nearly 37 years and has occupied four different locations downtown during that time. It's been at its current Kerrytown location, near the corner of Fourth and Catherine streets, for about 15 years.

The 4,500 square foot retail space is actually a combination of three different historic storefronts, some dating back to the mid-to-late 19th Century. Co-op officials say those storefronts give the Co-op character but are sometimes difficult to work with, especially when it comes to stocking space.

"You sort of always wish you had more space," says Kevin Sharp, marketing and member services manager for the People's Food Cooperative. "We have the advantages and disadvantages of being downtown."

The advantages range from lots of foot traffic and a central location, which pulls in people from as far away as Brighton. It is also near the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market.

"On a nice fall Saturday morning, this neighborhood is just hopping," Sharp says.

However, the Co-op doesn't have any space for dedicated parking. There also isn't much nearby space that is affordable (a condition in much of the downtown).

Co-op officials have looked at a few retail locations downtown, including the Liberty Lofts space and adjacent parking lot, but have yet to make a decision. Sharp says there isn't a timeline for a decision, but Co-op officials will continue to keep their options open.

Source: Kevin Sharp, marketing and member services manager for the People's Food Cooperative
Writer: Jon Zemke