Business

Hendersonville Co-Op could double in size

By Bill Moss, Published: July 10, 2012

The pending purchase of property could enable the Hendersonville Community Co-op to double in size, increasing its product offerings and adding parking, the co-op said in a news release.The Co-op has secured an option to purchase the property at 889 Spartanburg Highway, next to the Carolina Mountains Credit Union at the intersection with South Grove Street. On the 2.1 acres, the Co-op will be able to incorporate the existing structure into a new building and design a store that will better suit the needs of a growing cooperative grocer and its community. The new site will allow the Co-op enough space to create a store that will double the size of its current, cozy but cramped quarters at 715 South Grove Street.
Damian Tody, HCC General Manager for the past 5 years, indicates that now is the right time to make this transition. Educated by market surveys, and by listening to the Co-op owners and shoppers of our community, the leadership is confident that HCC is in a strong position to make this important move toward expansion. The new site will mean that the Co-op will have sufficient space to offer more of the many great products and services that the community has come to trust. HCC will now be able to thrive in a convenient location with ample parking- and be better suited to provide an environment that will accommodate community wide events from music festivals to cooking classes.

HCC has been the only cooperatively owned and operated natural foods grocer in Hendersonville since 1983. Over 1900 individuals and families who live and work in this area own the Co-op. Everyone can shop, anyone can join. Currently, HCC is enjoying strong sales growth and an average gain of 30 new owners every month.
A new location and larger store will provide the community with enhanced product selection, service and convenience. The new, energy efficient store will have more accommodating aisles, expanded deli seating and larger grocery departments. This expansion will increase the Co-op's ability to support local agriculture, provide everyone with healthy, fresh and prepared food, educate the public about the benefits of eating "real" food, and continue to contribute to the thriving local economy.

The expansion project will be funded through capital provided by owners of HCC and financial partners. According to Tody, "We are now ready to start the fundraising process in order to be able to expand and relocate our co-op. We have, no doubt, outgrown the space we are in, and we look forward to making our new store a reality."
For more information: www.hendersonville.coop