French Broad Food Co-op Plans Expansion

A few days after learning that Katuah Grocery will close at the end of the month, French Broad Food Co-op member-owners convened a March 21 community meeting to discuss expansion ideas that include a parking deck on the north side of the property. Construction could begin as early as 2016.

“We’re [next] going to jump into more technical assistance, which will help us determine exact possibilities, from financing to engineering,” says Bobby Sullivan, FBFC’s general manager. The more than 100 meeting attendees offered such ideas as establishing an on-site urban garden and finding more ways to create a multi-use, sustainable, environmentally conscious facility.

“We have a lot of work to do to figure out what’s possible,” he says. But now, in its 40th year of operation, the co-op is poised for growth. “Asheville is a progressive town. It really … should have a thriving co-op,” says Sullivan.

Ready to grow

Sales and ownership rates have been steadily climbing at FBFC in recent years. Although the co-op experienced a dip in profits when Greenlife opened on Merrimon Avenue, says Sullivan, it has continued to thrive despite the construction of Katuah Market, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, he adds.....

Read more at: http://mountainx.com/news/french-broad-food-co-op-begins-planning-expansion/