7/1/2008 2:59:00 PM Wykoff Grocery co-op taking off thanks to community spirit
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
Dialog in the dessert aisle for community spirit.
"This is a community project. The communities' commitment, by shopping here and selling their produce and products here, will make the difference to each other and prove whether this was a sustainable idea. Just by its formation, it has brought many people together, starting a dialog that was not there," said Wykoff Grocery co-op board president Gail Lembke, describing how the organization of the cooperative has galvanized conversation between unlikely neighbors.
Lembke is assisted by board members and shareholders alike - Kerry Affeldt serves as treasurer, Terry Fetterly as vice president in charge of facilities, Eva Barr as secretary and Sherry Benike as public relations representative - in lining the shelves with great groceries and mingling with members. "Our membership stands at about 105 entities, including individuals, families or businesses." Shares in the co-op are still available, if anyone is interested in supporting the store in that manner.
Continued Lembke, "I believe that a grocery can be an integral part of small town life. This community can be very proud of what they have done here. It is an exercise worth trying, and we hope to expand and be able to offer more things, but need to find our footing first. As gas becomes more expensive daily, I think it will be economically important, too."
The concept of forming a cooperative grocery store first found its voice in April 2007, when Dan and Bev Gleeson announced that they planned on selling Gleeson's Grocery, Wykoff's only grocery store and wished to retire. After several meetings and brainstorming sessions, the cooperative was established and incorporated. Members purchased shares for the first time the first week of this past March, and food placed on shelves in mid-April to early May. The co-op's members initially planned to purchase the grocery store building, but higher startup costs dictated that they sign a one-year lease with the Gleesons, with the hopes of buying the building soon. Meanwhile, work has begun inside to brighten and improve the atmosphere. The co-op will hold its grand opening on Saturday, July 19.
"We painted the walls, shelves and floor on the south side and replaced the ceiling tiles, and brought a cooler up to code. Any further renovation will be as the budget allows - next would be the north side where the deli is located. There are two apartments roughed in upstairs, but those are a ways down the line. The grocery is our main concern."
Business was "slow at first, but is picking up a bit now."
"In the beginning, we didn't have enough inventory, but over the month of May we built it up and now have as much as possible on the budget we have. It will continue to increase in quantity and diversity as the inventory is 'turned over.'" Currently, shoppers may buy groceries and seasonal items such as camping supplies and "a few gardening things, but come fall and winter, it will change to address those seasons."
The co-op is able to carry many more organic and local products than previous owners could.
"Many of the frozen meats we carry are from locals...the local meat supply has been good, and even economical. These meats don't travel hundreds of miles - costing gasoline - to get here. Now we are getting into the summer produce season, and local fruits and vegetables are starting to arrive. I love coming into the store and seeing what all the neighbors have been growing."
While Wykoff Grocery's board is challenged by its purchasing budget, it compensates for that challenge through the personal service that no chain store could venture.
"We can never compete with the variety that a big box store can offer - we don't have the space or the budget, but for a small town grocery, we offer a nice mix. Plus, we continue to get feedback from our customers as to what they want to see on the shelves, and we can do bulk orders from our suppliers if the customer wants." Lembke stated.
"We are comparable to other small town stores and do the best we can to keep the costs down. We also try to satisfy an ecological responsibility, within economical reason. We are looking at several alternatives to the plastic and Styrofoam that has been used in the past, we encourage people to bring their own bags and we supply our produce wastes to a local pig farmer. We will continue to look for ways to expand, but still watch our bottom line. We want to take care of our town and the planet."
Because cooking outside requires that the grocery store's operators meet several state standards, the co-op's members have hosted "cook-ins" each Saturday night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"One week it was a 'cook-in' with burgers, brats and steaks, and the next week a taco bar, and this week, it is beef roast. People who come seem to enjoy the food and also the sense of community they get while visiting with everyone. We would like to do deliveries, get the deli open and provide other services, but right now we don't have the budget."
Also, grocery delivery service will help local senior citizens remain in their homes.
"As soon as the budget allows, and definitely before winter, we want to start offering delivery service. We already have one volunteer that delivers during the 'cook-ins.' We have started keeping a list of those that would like the service so that we can contact them as soon as it is fully available. Our existence in the town also helps those who don't drive or who don't feel comfortable driving far."
Wykoff Grocery is open seven days a week.
"We are open 64 hours a week and have one full-time manager and a part-time clerk. They can handle the normal tasks, but when we get deliveries or during the 'cook-ins,' then the members help out...at least twice a week, we have members helping. As the store gets busier, that may expand. We have adjusted the hours several times to try to maximize staff usage."
Assistant manager Barb Peck has just been hired to serve as manager, following the original manager's decision to pursue other endeavors.
"We feel she has ideas and energy to take us forward in a positive manner," Lembke stated. The store has been arranged and rearranged as new products arrive.
"Our new manager has a more stable base of products to start with and has some ideas how she wants to rearrange it. It's up to her - she has worked the store since the start and has seen what is working best."
Lembke hopes simply to "be able to continue to contribute to this town, and expand those contributions" as the grocery store thrives through the support of residents shopping locally.
Wykoff Grocery is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
