Downtown Grocery Store News
Aurah Landau
Food cooperative eyeing A&P space
The newly formed Capital City Market Cooperative is pursuing the possibility of locating in the soon to be vacant space in the Foodland Shopping Center now occupied by A&P Market.
The organization's steering committee met with the owner of the shopping center recently to present its proposal, according to an e-mail from the group.
The e-mail says members also met with the general manager of Weaver's Way Cooperative in Philadelphia.
Glen Bergman toured the Foodland store recently while on a family vacation here and offered advice on space, produce, corporate structure, governance, and fundraising.
The cooperative is now exploring potential sources of financing, including grants and a professional marketing study.
An informational meeting is planned for Monday.
It's scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Offices of NorthWind Architects at 126 Seward Street downtown.
How to become a founding member will also be discussed at that meeting.
According to the e-mail, founding members are encouraged to contribute $500. That includes a $250 lifetime membership and a like capital investment to help fund start up costs.
A general membership drive is planned following the Founding Member drive, according to the e-mail.
A&P plans to shut down its store September 8.
JEDC director reports optimism in finding operator to replace A&P
The executive director of the Juneau Economic Development Council is privy to ongoing discussions on bringing in another grocer to replace A & P when it vacates the Foodland Shopping Center space.
Brian Holst was a guest on Action Line Tuesday.
He addressed the anxiety of residents worried about losing the only grocery store in the downtown area.
Holst said that people should be rest assured that there are parties interested in coming in.
He said he's talked to the shopping center owners and the broker who say they are optimistic about having an operator in the space fairly soon.
So he counseled patience.
Assembly committee takes up request on A&P
A request was made at Monday's meeting of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee to consider a way to bring about a positive resolution to the issue surrounding the closure of the Alaskan and Proud Grocery Store in downtown Juneau.
Committee Chair Randy Wanamaker says the request was made by Assembly member Ruth Danner.
The committee recommended to staff that the Mayor and the City Manager take a look to determine if there are any "city issues" involved and if there are to determine what steps might be taken to address those issues, Wanamaker says.
Wanamaker says they want to encourage A&P and the shopping center owner to discuss options other than closing the store and offer to help facilitate discussions using city offices, if they're willing he says.
On another matter, the committee decided to forward several legislative grants to the full Assembly with a recommendation for approval.
The local government received $1.855 million spread out over five Designated Legislative Grants.
The funds were set aside for several programs and projects in Juneau, including computer replacement for several local schools, funding for improvements at Statter Harbor and a grant for the Aurora Small Boat Harbor Rebuild Project.
Another grant would appropriate $400,000 to Capital Transit for bus lift and wash equipment for their facility.
Wanamaker says the committee recommended to the Assembly that the fund requests and transfers be approved. Now, he says, they'll be formally in front of the Assembly for a public hearing.
One action item was withdrawn by staff because they hadn't had enough time for all of the staff to review it. Wanamaker says it was the 1% for Art proposal, saying it hasn't received sufficient staff review for them to take any action on it, so they sent it back to staff to finish their review.
Wanamaker says they also got an informational update on the All Terrain Vehicle Park concept that's proposed out the road around mile 36.There's an RFP out, he says, and Parks and Recreation staff are working on developing a park where people can legally ride ATV's.
According to Wanamaker, Parks and Recreation officials are working with a consultants to carefully design trails and paths.
Committee Chair Randy Wanamaker says Assembly member Ruth Danner made the request.