2nd Store

Location announced!

The Co-op's second store will be located at the corner of Cordata and Westerly on the north side of Bellingham. The 76,000-square-foot site is just north of T-Mobile and a few blocks south of Whatcom Community College.

Questions? Detailed info is included in this Question & Answer document (PDF). Watch the website and monthly newsletter for more info as the project progresses.

The Co-op welcomes and encourages member input!

There are lots of opportunities to tell us what you'd like to see at the second store. There's been lots of member input (PDF) so far, gathered from member forums and a staff meeting. Read it and if you have other suggestions, comments, or requests, come to the next member forum (which is the Dining with Directors in January. Sign up at the Service Desk!) or write to us.

If you have questions, send an email to secondstore@communityfood.coop.

A Historical Review

In 2001, the Community Food Co-op Board of Directors and management realized that at the pace the Co-op was growing, members would need to examine some options for change. In response to a survey where members were offered a number of choices, the top choice by members was to open a second store of similar size. Since that time, the board and management have been working toward that end. To find out more about this process, read the decision retrospective (PDF).

It was determined in 2003 that because of the increased number of Co-op members coupled with the population growth in the north county and the increasing number of Canadian members, that the 2nd store should be located somewhere in the north Bellingham area.

2nd Store Project Timeline

2001-2002
Conduct Member Survey
Gather Member Input (ongoing)
Conduct Market Research
Develop Board Policies

2003
Establish Project Team
Hire Architect
Identify Potential Sites

2004-2005
Select Site

Fall 2005-Spring 2006
Design Store
Locate Green Materials
Develop Building Design
Approval of Plans by Board
Develop Construction Documents
Obtain Permits

Summer 2006
Begin Construction
Purchase Equipment

Summer-Fall 2007
Begin Equipment Installation
Complete Construction
Hire Staff
Stock Merchandise
Open Store