We want to thank everyone for all of the thoughtful and helpful feedback regarding the Co-op considering a possible downtown location. Owners, customers and people new to the Co-op are all joining the conversation. It is extremely helpful and exciting to see the community voicing their opinions and offering suggestion to help the Co-op thrive.
In an effort to continue the open dialogue, we would like to invite everyone (Owners, customers and downtown residents) to join us for a Co-op Community Meeting this Saturday, May 2 at 5 pm on the Tidal Creek Co-op Community Deck to discuss the prospect of a greater downtown location for the Co-op. The meeting will happen prior to our monthly Howl at the Moon Party & Outdoor Movie Night, and everyone is invited to stay after to enjoy the full moon celebration, live music by Mike Slaton, delicious free soup from the Co-op Caf and outdoor movie!
You’re Invited!
Co-op Community Meeting
Discussion about possible downtown location for Tidal Creek
Saturday, May 2 at 5:00 pm
Tidal Creek Co-op Community Deck
Everyone is welcome, please join us!
Click here for more details.
We are listening and we appreciate all of your emails, comments and opinions. They make a difference. The following main themes came up regularly in your communications last month so we wanted to be sure to follow up with some answers/thoughts to help continue the conversation and invite further feedback.
Is there a demand for a Food Co-op downtown?
Outside of the Food Lion on Dawson there are no other full service grocers located in the greater downtown area. There are so few options that portions of downtown qualify as a USDA Food Desert. Thus far there has been overwhelmingly positive support for the idea from folks who live in and around downtown. Additionally some of the greater downtown neighborhoods are primed for residential growth, with the Brooklyn Arts district leading the way, already adding a considerable number of housing units as we speak.
How much of the current Owner base is downtown?
Many of our current Owners do in fact live in the greater downtown area. Looking at our current shopping data by Owner, some of our most loyal shoppers are downtown residents. Equally as important is the fact that many more prospective Owners and customers, live in these downtown neighborhoods, as well. Overall our ownership is not concentrated in any one area or another. A high percentage of our Owner sales come from residences farther than five miles away from the current location.
Carolina FarminÕ wasnÕt successful with a downtown location, why would the Co-op be any different?
Carolina FarminÕ had a good initial concept and chose a desirable area of town. However they lacked the operational experience, follow through and brand identity necessary to thrive. Their site also had significant shortcomings in that the building was in poor condition and lacked adequate parking. Customer reviews for location, parking, product quality, selection, customer service and Caf offerings where overwhelmingly negative. Their brand messaging was particularly confusing and inconsistent with local and organic foods.
In contrast, Tidal Creek has been WilmingtonÕs community owned Food Co-op for over 32 years. We have a very clearly defined mission and vision to foster and nourish the health of the individual, community and planet by offering:
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High quality natural, organic and local foods and other environmentally sound products
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A comfortable, affordable place to shop and share knowledge
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Education and training to help people make informed choices towards well being
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A sustainable and economical model which invests in the local and cooperative communities
Our sureness of purpose coupled with an experienced/knowledgeable staff, 32 years of experience running a thriving Market & Caf that meets the needs of the local community, plus the support of our Owners and the National Co-op Grocers is what sets us apart from Carolina FarminÕ. The Co-op has the proven expertise to successfully meet the demands of the greater downtown market.
Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s chose locations very close to the current Co-op location on Oleander, doesnÕt that indicate that it is a prime location to be? Why would the Co-op consider moving?
Yes it does indicate that there are desirable attributes to this area as a whole. The problem is that the area is now oversaturated with grocers. The Co-op has lost considerable sales to this condition. Further evidence of this oversaturation came to light in our market study, which indicated that most of the chain grocers operating in this area are unhappy with their storeÕs performance.
Unfortunately, despite being here first so-to-speak, we do not currently have enough loyalty and sales volume to sustain healthy operations in the Oleander location. We have tried to respond to the new competition for nearly three years now without much success, therefore we must consider new paths and new opportunities to help the Co-op thrive.
Are safety, parking and building accessibility being prioritized when considering possible locations?
Parking is one of the greatest weaknesses of our current site. We do not have enough of it, it is poorly oriented, and should we lose the opportunity to lease the adjoining old cinema parking, the situation will get even worse. Parking is one of the most important aspects of a grocery store, even more so than almost every other form of retail. It is a major consideration for any prospective site. We are not considering potential locations that rely heavily on parking structure or street based parking.
Traffic is one of the most important factors that contribute to a sense of safety. The most tangible way that each of us can make the downtown area safer is to patronize it. If we avoid downtown, we only make the problem worse. The advantage that we have in this regard is that we do nearly five hundred transactions per day at Tidal Creek. At that amount of traffic the Co-op has the opportunity to immediately improve and have an impact on the safety of any downtown area that it might inhabit. New businesses are steadily occupying previously vacant properties in the greater downtown area. We expect that trend to continue, thereby improving the safety of those areas.
Community Survey Coming Soon!
We received so many great suggestions about surveying current Owners, customers and greater downtown residents to get more input and tune in to the needs of the community. We are in the process of compiling the survey and plan to send it out in May via email, website and social media.
Thank you again for the suggestions! Here are some other great ways to get involved and join the conversation?
Click Here To Attend The Tidal Creek Co-op Community Meeting About
Possible Downtown Expansion
How can I help the Co-op thrive in its current location?
For those of you looking to support current location, the most tangible form of support you can show is increasing your shopping at the Co-op. Anytime you are able to purchase from the Co-op, buy an Ownership or spread the word about what a great place it is, will help make a difference. We appreciate the support and love!
How can I get involved in the process?
It is important to us that the communication process is open and inclusive. We invite all Owners of the Co-op to attend our Board of Directors meetings on the first Monday of every month at 6 pm at the Co-op. Meetings dates/times are posted on our online Events Calendar and our in-store chalk board calendar. We welcome all thoughts and suggestions, please feel free to comment in the Facebook feed below or click here to join the conversation and help your Co-op thrive!