Steve Schomberg: “The idea of a different location is fine as long as it is near downtown or on the East side.  We shop at both location but really love the IC location.  Good luck.  I can see why you might want more space and be out of the flood plain.”

Carol Potter:  “I appreciate the careful explanation you make of alternatives.  I agree that upgrading/expanding at the present downtown site is not advisable. For various reasons, I'm in favor of having New Pi maintain its presence (perhaps scaled back) downtown.

Questions:

1) I've heard that, due to restricted space at present downtown location, re-stocking supplies in winter is costly in terms of time/labor involved and quite hazardous. If this is true, can you estimate what would be saved if a new store had the recommended delivery/stocking space?

2) Have you been in conversation with the City & County to discover any properties which might be in good downtown locations and feasible financially to upgrade for New Pi purposes?

3) On the private sector side, might there be a way to “share” space with the Breadgarden?

Comments:  Your decision to expand in Coralville was a courageous one and, as it turns out, an excellent one. The Board faced considerable dissent on that decision. Surely the same will be true now. I encourage you to continue your careful explorations and then take a risk to assure New Pi remains a strong & vital presence in Iowa City--wherever it may be.”

Response from the board:
The board's discussion of space constraints with regard to our lack of a loading dock and back room space have focused more on safety and efficiency in general terms. Our general manager, Matt Hartz, has hands on experience in the store may be able to quantify the actual efficiency gains that come with a modern facility better than I. I am sure he will respond to you.

With regard to City and County owned properties--the board is and/or will have conversations with any property owners, public or private, who have vacant or developable land in the downtown. Right now we cannot specify sites that we are exploring or organizations with whom we are engaged in discussions. If there is a particular site that  you think we should consider, please let us know.

With regard to the Breadgarden, the answer is no.
Debbie Cowherd: “While I understand the many reasons to consider relocating the store, I would be very much opposed to relocating the store to somewhere substantially far from its current location (as in a couple of blocks further). I do not have a car and currently walk to and from the coop, both to and from home, and on the way to and from my workplace in downtown Iowa City, and I am not unique in this regard. Also, I love that it is right there near the farmers’ market, which I would think would be a huge plus. If a suitable nearby location is not proposed I will vote against relocating.”

Alex Pelzel: “I have been following the board’s exploration of new facilities for the Iowa City store with great interest and strongly support the board’s efforts on this matter.  A new facility in the downtown Iowa City area would be a great benefit to the Co-op membership and the community at large.

As a construction professional, I encourage the board to engage the services of a qualified construction team (architect, General Contractor, etc.) sooner, rather than later.  A qualified construction team can provide vital guidance during the site selection process, define the Co-op’s programmatic needs and, most importantly, help develop a realistic budget for any work the Co-op might undertake.”

Liz Broussard: “I love New Pi’s current location. It’s been there for a long time and there’s something kind of special about that. It is within walking distance of the bustling main streets of downtown, but distanced enough to not get lost amidst the other businesses. I also love its close proximity to the Red Avocado, a business with similar environmental and gastronomic values.
I would love to see New Pi expand in its current location, but after reading the FAQs, I understand the impossibility of that. It is important that workers have the space and tools necessary to do their job and that New Pi can meet the demands of its growing membership base (how exciting!).

As long as there is no way to expand at the current location, I am in support of the re-location and hope that a fantastic new space is discovered.”

Chuck Felling: “New Pi, in my mind and heart, is more than our grocery stores; New Pi is a group that perpetuates the ideals and the ethic that began our organization. Stephanie Catlett reminded us of the difference between our operation and those of most other grocery sellers. On page 18 of the Catalyst she states our political and economic support for a fair and just economy, for living wages and for food free from toxic pesticides, trans-fats etc. 
As a working member I have spent many hours in the grocery department of our Iowa City store. There is seldom if ever a down time in the patron flow. The store has a high volume of pedestrian and bicycle patrons. There is usually a parking place within easy proximity to the Iowa City Store. The store is small when compared to supermarkets but there is an amazing variety of products available. As with Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery in Lake Woebegone, if we don’t have it you can get along without it. 

Let us not be in a rush to replace our Iowa City store. We have made good improvements in the physical plant at that store. Some of us believe that maintaining this existing structure seems to fit our conservation ethic. Ralston creek is much less a flood threat to us than it was to Me Too Grocery.

I trust that the Board will be fiscally cautious in their ideas about “growing” our organization. Keep in mind the Cedar Rapids venture and the near financial disaster with our Coralville expansion. Our sound financial state means we can generously maintain our facilities, support publicity, disperse products and provide resources to non profits as part of our mission in our community.

Thank you all for your work for New Pi.”

Lauren Weinstock: Here's my vote FOR relocation. Sound arguments and I agree with move idea.

Christine Schempp: “I feel the co-op needs to stay in the downtown area. Since there is already a co-op in Coralville, we do not need another there. Plus it is so nice to be able to walk to get my groceries. If the co-op moves out of downtown I feel that many people would take their business to other places such as the bread market out of convenience.”

Doreen Edmundson: “I dearly love the Iowa City store, I think everyone has done and is doing a marvelous job of making the best use of that space for retail while maintaining the traditional friendly,down-home, folksy atmosphere of the co-op! It's beautiful! 

I think it would be a shame to close that location entirely. Perhaps if we open a larger store in a suitable location while maintaining the Van Buren store as a satellite location, we could keep our traditional atmosphere while increasing our capacity to serve more people efficiently. I am so happy that we are able to consider expanding the Iowa City natural and local foods availability for our community and fully support our efforts! As a staff person and the person who answers the phone at the Coralville store, I will make sure and 'talk it up' when plans are final! Thanks for everything!”

Lisa Schreihart: “Due to the lack of space in the store and the lack of parking, I am in agreement with the Iowa City store relocation. I do appreciate the quaintness of the Iowa City store, but the space issues outweigh the more "soft" benefits of the current store. I like the idea of keeping the current Iowa City store open for business in a supplemental capacity. From a shopper's point of view, you can't have too many New Pi's, especially from a convenience perspective (considering all the walkers in town). 

One major aspect of the store's quaintness is its residential location. If the new store isn't located in a residential area, your walkers in the neighborhood may not want to go to another "strip" store on foot. I believe I read that the new store would likely be downtown, so that's a definite plus (IF you make sure the store's new neighborhood has a decent sidewalk network, traffic control, etc.).”

Mary Crooks: “I think Iowa City definitely needs a larger store. Interest in local, organic food is growing and people are more interested in knowing where their food comes from. I think New Pi is well-positioned to benefit from this since they are a community leader in these areas. I'm not a risk taker, by nature, but I do believe that there are times to take calculated and well researched, prudent and planned risks. This appears to be one of those times. 
 
As for the Coralville store, I don't know the cost/benefit of buying versus leasing. But if the Board determines that the best decision is to purchase, I would support that. By now you know the building's strengths and weaknesses and I assume it is in good structural shape. The location is certainly good.
 
Thank you for asking for input on this decision. I am a very satisfied customer and a big supporter of New Pi and appreciate all they are doing for our community.”

Teri Rice: “As long as the Coralville store remains where it is I am a happy customer.”