Juneau Empire - Myers Group

[Capital City Market]

As we mentioned at the Monday Information meeting, a Washington-based company, the Myers Group LLC (www.myersgroupllc.com)  is currently in negotiations with the Foodland owners.

The Empire's Russell Stigall has broken a story on this tonight: http://juneauempire.com/local/2012-08-01/grocer-seeks-northern-outpost

[Judy Crondahl]

If this turns out as good as it sounds, I think we need a "welcome to Juneau" party.

Simone, the coffee lady, at A&P said the Myers' owner said that they would literally convert the store overnight so there wouldn't be any down time. That would be so great.

Holding my breath ...... --Judy

[kimberly metcalfe]

I'm sorry about the co-op folks, but I am so pleased to hear about the Myers group!

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From: Judy Crondahl <cron...@gmail.com>
To: juneau-f...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2012 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: Juneau Empire - Myers Group

[twoarc...@alaska.net]

If the Myers group and the shopping center landlords are able to come to an agreement, I don’t see it as a foregone conclusion that the co-op momentum should end.

It has been positive for Juneau to focus on this aspect of our food security: our dependence on the folks who bring in the food.

It would be great to keep this group and discussion going...

 

It could possibly change its focus, though, from forming a grocery cooperative to becoming and advisory group for the community markets, and finding/filling gaps to ensure community food needs are met.

For example, the group’s goals could be to:

1. Offer help, local connections, market info and knowledge to the Myers group so they get off the ground running and can truly serve Juneau well for the long haul.

2. Offer the same to the existing groceries, to ensure a robust grocery industry and the best supply and options for everyone in Juneau.

3. Create a cooperative market (or markets) to fill gaps not covered by the grocery stores. A local fish market or bulk foods market, for example.

4. Help Juneau become more resilient in the face of short or long-term food insecurity (due to decreased supply, increased prices, a failure in the shipping chain, etc.)

5. Be ready and able to restart the co-op grocery discussion if another grocery store closes in the coming years.

 

An over-arching goal could be to have a group looking at the big picture of Juneau’s food supply, and working to fill the gaps or keep the grocery stores focused on our needs.

Maybe this could be that group?

 

Just thoughts for food...

Sarah Lewis

[Sally Schlichting]

Sarah, as usual, you raise some excellent points and I thank you for initiating a discussion. 

 

I know the Steering Committee would love to hear everyone's thoughts.  There are options and different paths to a locally owned cooperative.  Co-existence with a conventional grocery store in downtown is by no means precluded. 

 

Please all, do weigh in. 

Sally

[Amber King]

I agree with Sarah that there is still a large need for the co-op function if not a second store downtown or to at least explore options and continue to look at the community and regional needs.

Cheers,

Amber King

Full Circle Sales Associate

www.fullcircle.com

907-209-2011

--

	Amber King Independent Consultant Tel: 9072092011 Email: acce...@gmail.com

[Russell Strandtmann]

Sally, and other members of the steering committee.

As far as I am concerned I want you to go ahead with the feasibility study. I hope that we can get a co-op going.

Russell

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Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 11:01:32 -0800

Subject: Re: Juneau Empire - Myers Group

From: sally.sc...@gmail.com
To: juneau-f...@googlegroups.com

[Tanya Bartholomew]

I also agree with Sarah that we should explore options such as using the old Salvation Army which I believe is empty and will encourage our local entrepreneurs to produce something similar to Pike's Market.  Our local gardeners, chefs, artists and crafters will be thrilled to share their produce and wonderful creations.

Tanya Bartholomew

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Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 11:03:27 -0800

Subject: Re: Juneau Empire - Myers Group

From: acce...@gmail.com
To: juneau-f...@googlegroups.com

[Patricia Hull]

I agree the feasibility study should move forward regardless of what transpires with the Myers Group.    And what a great idea, Tanya, to use the old Salvation Army Building !  It would be a great location for the co-op, especially one with a broader local sustainability mission.  I would hope the feasibility study would broaden its original scope to include non-food items.

 

Patricia

[Tanya Bartholomew]

Thank you.  Our town have so many talented people and some have proven an organized and mission directed business can be successful and well rewarded by the community and globally.

Tanya

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Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 14:43:30 -0800

Subject: Re: Juneau Empire - Myers Group

From: patricia...@gmail.com
To: juneau-f...@googlegroups.com

[Dennis Harris]

Judy Crondahl wrote:

> If this turns out as good as it sounds, I think we need a "welcome to
> Juneau" party.
>

Well, it sounds good, but if you really read the story, it's full
of "ifs".

> Within the next 10 days Myers Group, LLC may negotiate ownership
> of the lease currently held by Alaskan and Proud Grocery.

> Myers said his goal is to switch ownership of the Willoughby
> grocery before Alaskan and Proud is slated to close

> If Myers Group is successful in its bid for the Foodland Center lease,

"may negotiate" doesn't sound like a done deal to me. Having a
goal is not the same as actually doing it. If the group is
succesful in its bid...

It all sounds good, but it ain't real until the ink is on the
paper, and they make a payment. I'm not holding my breath.

We do need to do the market study so we have enough detailed data
that we can see what customers truly want, as well as get a
handle on the potential market, and whether it can support a
co-op as well as another downtown grocer.

You Douglas folks who keep hoping for a neighborhood store over
there --- your population is not large enough to support a full
service grocery, and not enough folks from other areas will go to
Douglas to shop (just ask Bob Thibodeau, who lost that battle). A
good downtown store should be able to get Valley folks to shop
there on the way home if they do it right, like the old Foodland
group did.

Note that the Myers Group also owns and manages shopping centers
as well as retail businesses other than groceries. It's possible
that they may want to either purchase or manage the entire
shopping center. In any case, I'm not considering it real until
papers are signed and money changes hands.