A team of volunteers and co-op employees worked diligently last week to set items on shelves as the impending opening date for the new store of June 26 quickly approaches. The new store is located in the same location as the old store next to Stone Harbor and will offer more items and a deli that seats 34 people.
Wow, does the new store look great!
High ceilings, gleaming beams, fresh paint— touches of blue, red, light green—rows of groceries carefully placed on new shelves, 10 doors for frozen goods, a 34-seat deli, office space and a meeting room for the staff are just some of the amenities.
Volunteers, staff, and professional grocers have been working at a feverish pitch the last two weeks to set and stock shelves at the newly built Cook County Whole Foods Co-op grocery store.
“It’s been amazing. The volunteers and staff have worked very hard on the cleanup and the setup, and the contractors have worked diligently to keep us on schedule and on time. All of the help that we have gotten from everyone has been awesome,” said Jennifer Stoltz, the co-op’s general manager.
At 7,100 square feet, including the offices and deli, the new store is more than twice as big as the previous building and is much more energy efficient. Hot water is heated from the compressors used to run the refrigeration system, and the concrete and walls are very well insulated. Green technology was used as much as possible when and where it could be afforded, said Stoltz.
As the opening date gets closer, more and more people stop by to sneak a peek or lend a hand or offer an encouraging word.
“The new store will offer quite a few more products, exactly how many more I’m not sure of at this time, but it will also include a lot more fresh meat and produce,” said Stoltz.
Another new amenity will be free Wi-Fi for the deli customers.
There will also be four pictures of the old mural placed inside the store. Local professional photographer Stephan Hoglund took the pictures and they are being framed on canvas at Sivertson’s art gallery.
“We are bringing the mural forward,” said Stoltz.
An attempt to save the popular mural built by elementary students over a five-year period wasn’t successful, but this compromise honors that work and keeps alive the many memories of the kids and volunteers who helped with this iconic project.
A special sale will be held June 23-24 at the co-op’s temporary location, the former Howling Wolf building located almost two miles west of Grand Marais on the lower side of Highway 61. Groceries— especially produce—will be marked down for the sale, said Stoltz.
Helping set up the store was a team from National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA). The NCGA employees worked hand in hand with the Cook County Whole Food employees. As they worked it was like watching a giant puzzle being put together. But it was a puzzle that kept everyone smiling.
As for those smiles, many will be on display as employees greet customers on June 26 when the doors open for business.
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