WAITING ON WORD ABOUT THE SIXTH AVE MARKET >>>

As we've reported before on SPEW, the Tacoma Food Co-op is currently trying to purchase retail space for a long-sought-after physical location - specifically, the 6th Avenue Market in Tacoma near the Red Hot and O'Reilly's Auto Parts. In February, the Tacoma Food Co-op made a goal of reaching over 400 members (it had just over 300 to start with) - a drive designed to raise $10,000 in earnest money to help acquire the 6th Avenue Market location.

Today, the Tacoma Food Co-op updated members and supporters on the progress in an official press release. In a demonstration of the support the co-op has within the community, the goal of surpassing 400 members was met easily in just three weeks.

However, while the necessary $10,000 earnest money was secured by the Tacoma Food Co-op, John Loesch, current owner of the 6th Avenue Market, is reportedly still mulling his options.

An official Tacoma Food Co-op press release below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Tacoma Food Co-op

Contact Person: Corrinne Henderson, Board President

Telephone Number: 360-431-2038

Email Address: tacomafoodcoop@gmail.com

Web site address: tacomafoodcoop.com

Tacoma Food Co-Op Completes Successful Membership Drive

Store purchase offer for Neighborhood Market location pending

February 28th marked the end of a successful three-week membership drive for the Tacoma Food Co-op. The business hoped to recruit 100 new members and raise $10,000 in earnest money for the purchase of the Neighborhood Market location on 6th Avenue.

"The response we saw during the drive is real proof that Tacoma wants and needs a co-op," says Corrinne Henderson, Board President. "Our goal was to bring our membership up to 400, but the drive was so successful we surpassed that goal and now have 470 members with new memberships are coming in daily. The momentum is incredible."

The new memberships allowed TFC to present $10,000 in earnest money to

John Loesch, current owner of Neighborhood Market. Loesch has not yet accepted the offer and is currently evaluating another late offer from a different buyer.

"John has been great to work with and though we were surprised we are not discouraged," says Henderson, "Neighborhood Market is a great opportunity, but it's not the only one. The co-op's strength lies in its members, not in its address." She says the board is exploring other locations with up to 10,000 square feet and off-street parking.

Tacoma Food Co-op seeks to open a cooperatively-run store providing local, fresh, natural and organic foods and increase the access to healthy food for everyone in the community.

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