Business

Co-op plans new building on Spartanburg Highway

By Bill Moss, Published: February 2, 2013

The Hendersonville Community Co-op plans to open a new store open next year, having closed last month on the purchase of two acres across Spartanburg Highway from its current South Grove Street building.

A campaign launched in the summer of 2012 raised $500,000 of the $800,000 goal of preferred shares. With the land purchase finalized on Jan. 8, the co-op will now turn toward raising capital for store construction, the organization.
"As the co-op has grown over the last five years, we have worked to expand the retail space and improve offerings to our customers," Damian Tody, the co-op's general manager, said in a news release. "We are out of space in our leased building."
While sales numbers have continued to grow, he said, space intensive departments like the deli have no way to increase kitchen size. The co-op plans to design a new building destined to be a store that offers more of the products the co-op is known for, like local produce and natural food products. The new store will also feature an expanded deli and eat-in dining area as well as a community room for workshops and demonstrations.
Satisfying increasing customer demand while keeping a safe and efficient workplace has been a challenge in the current HCC location.
"The new, expanded space will ease that tension," says Tody. "We will be able to create a store that will be fully functional and will be able to meet all of our needs and expectations."
HCC is a cooperatively owned grocery store providing wholesome, natural foods, supplements and health care products. The co-op encourages informed choice through community education as well as through exceptional customer service. Founded in 1978, HCC is equitably owned by over 2,000 family households and is open to everyone to shop. To find out more, please visit http://www.hendersonville.coop/.